PARTIAL REJUVENATION OF BAYARD-ALPERT IONIZATION GAUGE TUBES

We describe a simple procedure for the partial restoration of Bayard-A lpert ionization gauge cubes that have been contaminated by a combinat ion of mechanical and silicone diffusion pump oil vapors. The method c onsists in filling the tube with 1 M NaOH, immersing it in a hot water bath (>80 degrees C, ca. 1 h), thorough rinsing with deionized water and reagent acetone, and air drying. This procedure was tested on nine inoperable gauges; after restoration seven of the gauges read within a factor of 2 of a new gauge. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.