Abstract: An electronic device for feeding an ion pump with two different tensions and for improved measuring of the pressure in the pump, the two different tensions being a normal operating tension and a lower tension at which a correct measurement of the pressure can be made in a pressure range up to beyond 10.sup.-10 torr. through a transformer whose primary or secondary winding is divided into two sections that can be connected and separated by switches controlled by oscillator circuits. Alternatively feeding at two different tensions can be obtained by feeding to the primary winding of the transformer a pulsed tension having a rectangular wave form and a high frequency controlled by a field effect transistor having an isolated gate. A sampling and holding circuit permits the pressure to be measured only in the conditions of feeding at the lower tension.

Abstract: A sputter ion pump with a cathode having blades arranged radially adjacent the cylindrical hollow cells of the anode.This arrangement increases the probability of grazing collisions useful for the formation of fast inert gas molecules, particularly argon. This improves the pumping speed and the speed stability in time.