Diffusion pump/Talk

I seem to recall that cold traps enhance diffusion pump ability, not detract from it. Baffles probably do interfer though. -rmhermen

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To be honest, my experience indicates that pumping ability is improved when the cold trap is in use. However, the book I used as a reference for writing this entry, says that cold traps interfere with pumping ability. My guess is that the additional inlet tube length required for the cold trap reduces conductance and thus pumping speed, so pumping speed may be higher without any cold trap. However, if a cold trap is already installed, using it reduces flow of oil into the chamber, resulting in an improvement relative to not using the already installed cold trap. Admittedly, I'm not an expert, so I'd welcome input from anyone with more knowledge on the subject.

--Matt Stoker