Chemistry Lab:
The Surface Technologies and Superconductivity Service operates two specialised chemistry laboratories at Legnaro National Laboratories (LNL). These facilities are dedicated to high-purity surface preparation, essential for Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) systems, experiments that require ultra-level of cleaning for residual background radiation and superconducting applications.
Core Capabilities:
Laboratories provide comprehensive surface processing for copper, stainless steel, aluminium and niobium materials. Key activities include:
- UHV Surface Preparation: Ultrasonic degreasing, deoxidation, and precision solvent drying.
- Pre-Brazing Treatments: Specialized surface preparation for components destined for high-vacuum furnace brazing.
- Chemical & Electrochemical Polishing: Advanced finishing of Copper (Cu) and Niobium (Nb) surfaces to optimise RF performance of accelerating cavities.
- Advanced Cleaning: Production of ultrapure deionized water and ultra-cleaning of components from low-background radioactive contaminants.
- R&D: Investigation of alternative chemical treatments.
Quarter Wave Resonator (QWR) Treatment Plant
To achieve peak performance in superconducting thin-film coatings, the removal of damaged surface layers and contaminants is mandatory. Our laboratory features a semi-automatic facility featuring 9 dedicated processing baths. specifically designed for the surface finishing of RF cavities.
Available Processes:
- Pre-, post- cleaning with ultrasound baths.
- High-performance electropolishing.
- Chemical polishing processing.
- Electropolishing.
- Plasma Electrolytic Polishing.
- Precision chemical etching and passivation.
Infrastructure & Specialized Equipment
Beyond standard laboratory setups, our facility is equipped with industrial-scale infrastructure to support large-scale and high-precision R&D:
- Modular Processing: Semi-automatic chemical plant featuring 9 dedicated processing baths.
- High-Pressure Rinsing (HPR): Dedicated set-up for final cleaning.
- Ultrasonic Cleaning: 4 dedicated large-scale baths for oversized components.
- Drying: Industrial-size drying system for rapid, residue-free processing.
- Power Supplies * Programmable DC power supplies (up to 56 kW).
- Advanced Pulse/Pulse-Reverse power supplies for specialized electrochemical R&D.
- Additional 3 chemical hoods, which allows small to medium size sample scale R&D and/or production on-site.