Superconducting Surface Modification Furnace: Technology Analysis, Application Expansion and Industry Prospects

In modern technology, superconducting materials have become a research hotspot in the fields of energy transmission, medical imaging, and quantum computation by virtue of their unique properties such as zero resistance and complete antimagnetism. However, the performance of superconducting materials is highly susceptible to the surface state, and tiny surface defects or impurities may prevent the superconducting properties from being realized. As a key equipment specialized in improving the surface properties of superconducting materials, the superconducting surface modification furnace provides a powerful support for the improvement of superconducting materials' performance and wide application through the precise treatment of the surface of materials by means of innovative technology. xvacuum technology (jiangsu) co. XVACUUM Technology (Jiangsu) Co.

I. The working principle and structure of superconducting surface modification furnace

(A) Core working principle

The working principle of superconducting surface modification furnace is based on the correlation between the physical and chemical changes on the surface of the material and the superconducting properties. The critical temperature, critical current density and other key performance parameters of superconducting materials are closely related to the crystal structure of the material surface, chemical composition, defect density and other factors. Superconducting surface modification furnaces optimize the surface properties of superconducting materials by applying physical or chemical means to the surface in a specific environment. Common modification methods include ion implantation, plasma treatment, laser treatment and so on. Ion implantation, for example, in a vacuum environment, high-energy ion beams injected into the surface of superconducting materials, ions and material surface atoms collision, change the surface atomic arrangement structure, the introduction of specific elements, so as to regulate the electronic structure of the material and the lattice defects, to enhance the superconducting properties. Plasma treatment is the use of plasma in the active particles and the material surface chemical reaction or physical bombardment, remove surface impurities, the formation of a new surface layer, improve the surface morphology and chemical properties of the material, enhance the stability of superconducting materials and anti-interference ability. Laser processing through high-energy laser beams on the material surface for rapid heating and cooling, so that the surface of the melting, evaporation, recrystallization and other changes, refine the grain, reduce surface defects, improve the performance of superconducting materials. During the whole modification process, the superconducting surface modification furnace ensures the consistency and controllability of the modification effect by precisely controlling the process conditions such as temperature, air pressure, ion energy and plasma parameters. At the same time, combined with advanced detection technology, real-time monitoring of the material surface performance changes, according to the feedback data timely adjustment of process parameters, to achieve accurate modification of the surface of superconducting materials.

(B) Structure

The superconducting surface modification furnace is mainly composed of furnace body, vacuum system, modification treatment system, temperature control system, gas supply system and control system. Furnace body is the main body of the equipment, usually made of high-strength, high-temperature-resistant metal materials, the internal design has a special sample placement area. The furnace structure needs to meet the vacuum sealing requirements to ensure that the modification process is carried out in a vacuum or a specific atmosphere. At the same time, the furnace body is well insulated to effectively reduce heat loss and maintain a stable internal temperature. The vacuum system is an important part of the superconducting surface modification furnace, responsible for pumping out the air inside the furnace to create a vacuum environment. The system is generally composed of mechanical pumps, molecular pumps and other multi-stage vacuum pump combination. Mechanical pump first rough pumping, rapid reduction of air pressure in the furnace, molecular pump is further fine pumping, so that the furnace to achieve a high vacuum or ultra-high vacuum state. Vacuum piping and valves are used for gas transmission and control to ensure smooth pumping process, and can be adjusted according to process requirements of the furnace air pressure. The vacuum measuring instrument monitors the vacuum level in the furnace in real time to provide accurate data for the operator. Modification treatment system is the core component to realize the material surface modification, according to different modification methods equipped with corresponding equipment.

For example, the ion injection system includes an ion source, a gas pedal, a mass analyzer and an injection target chamber, etc., which can generate and precisely control the energy, type and injection dose of the ion beam; the plasma processing system consists of a plasma generator, a radio-frequency power supply, a gas distributor, etc., which can generate a stable plasma and regulate the plasma's density, temperature and concentration of the active particles; and the laser processing system contains a laser, The laser processing system consists of laser, optical focusing system and scanning device, which can precisely control the laser energy, wavelength and action area. The temperature control system is used to regulate and maintain the temperature inside the furnace and utilizes high precision heating elements and temperature sensors. The heating elements are uniformly distributed inside the furnace to ensure temperature uniformity; the temperature sensor monitors the temperature change in real time and feeds the data back to the control system to realize the precise regulation of temperature. According to different modification processes, the temperature control system can be adjusted within a wide temperature range to meet the temperature requirements of various processes. The gas supply system is responsible for providing the required gases for the modification process, such as inert gases for protective atmosphere and reaction gases for chemical modification. The system includes gas storage tanks, pressure reducing valves, flow meters and gas mixing devices, etc., which can accurately control the type, flow rate and mixing ratio of gases to meet the demands of different processes on the gas environment. The control system is the “brain” of the superconducting surface modification furnace, which adopts advanced programmable logic controller (PLC) or computer control system. The operator can intuitively set the process parameters such as vacuum, temperature, modification time, gas flow rate, etc. through the human-computer interaction interface, such as touch screen or computer terminal. The control system can automatically coordinate the work of each system, realize the automatic operation of the equipment, and monitor, record and analyze the data in the operation process in real time. In the event of abnormalities, such as over-temperature, vacuum is not up to standard, gas leakage, timely alarm and take appropriate protective measures to ensure the safety of equipment and samples.

Second, the application fields of superconducting surface modification furnace

(A) Power energy field

In the field of electric power and energy, the application of superconducting materials is aimed at improving power transmission efficiency and reducing energy consumption. Superconducting surface modification furnace can be used to deal with superconducting materials surface of superconducting cables, superconducting magnets and other equipment. Through the modification treatment, the critical current density of superconducting materials is enhanced, and the resistance loss is reduced, so that superconducting cables are able to transmit larger currents and reduce the energy loss in the transmission process; the stability and magnetic field strength of superconducting magnets are enhanced to improve the performance of magnetic confinement fusion devices, superconducting energy storage systems and other equipment, which provide support for efficient operation of the power system and energy storage.

(B) Medical equipment field

The application of superconducting surface modification furnace in the field of medical equipment is mainly reflected in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment, the superconducting magnets in the MRI equipment have very high requirements on the performance of superconducting materials, and minor surface defects may affect the uniformity and stability of the magnetic field. By modifying the surface of superconducting magnet materials, the superconducting properties of the materials can be optimized to improve the imaging quality and resolution of MRI equipment, which can help doctors diagnose diseases more accurately and provide more reliable technical support for medical diagnosis and treatment.

(C) Quantum Computing

Quantum computing is the frontier of science and technology today, the performance and stability of superconducting materials is extremely demanding. Superconducting surface modification furnace can improve the surface properties of superconducting quantum bit materials, reduce the interference of surface defects and impurities on the quantum state, improve the coherence time and manipulation accuracy of quantum bits, and lay the foundation for the performance enhancement of quantum computers. By precisely controlling the surface modification process, the surface of superconducting materials can be customized to meet specific needs, promoting the development and application of quantum computing technology.

(D) Scientific research experiment field

In scientific research experiments, the superconducting surface modification furnace provides an important experimental platform for researchers. Researchers can use this equipment to study the effects of different modification processes on the properties of superconducting materials, and explore the preparation of new materials and performance optimization methods. For example, by changing the energy and dose of ion implantation and the parameters of plasma treatment, etc., to study the change rule of the surface structure and properties of superconducting materials, to provide experimental data and theoretical basis for the theoretical study and practical application of superconducting materials. At the same time, the superconducting surface modification furnace can also be used for the development of new superconducting materials, through the design and modification of the material surface, giving the material new properties and functions.

III. Technical Advantages and Contributions of XVACUUM Technology (Jiangsu) Co.

(I) Technological Innovation Capability

XVACUUM TECHNOLOGY (JIANGSU) CO., LTD. has demonstrated strong technological innovation strength in the research and development process of superconducting surface modification furnace. The company's R&D team thoroughly researches the relationship between superconducting material properties and surface modification technology, combines multidisciplinary knowledge of vacuum technology, material science and other disciplines, and continuously explores new technologies and processes. In terms of vacuum system design, by optimizing the combination of vacuum pumps and piping layout, the pumping efficiency and vacuum stability have been improved, so that the equipment can reach the required high vacuum environment in a shorter period of time, providing stable basic conditions for the modification process. The company has made a number of key breakthroughs in modification processing technology. For ion injection technology, we have developed a high-precision ion beam control device, which can accurately adjust the ion energy, beam intensity and injection angle to realize accurate modification of the surface of superconducting materials; for plasma processing technology, we have innovatively designed the plasma generator and RF power supply, which improves the stability and activity of the plasma, and strengthens the effect of processing the surface of the material; for laser processing technology, we have developed an advanced laser focusing and scanning system, which provides a stable base for the modification process. For the laser treatment technology, advanced laser focusing and scanning system is developed, which realizes the precise control and uniform distribution of laser energy to ensure the consistency and reliability of the modification process. In addition, the company also applies artificial intelligence and big data technology to the superconducting surface modification furnace, through the establishment of a correlation model between process parameters and material properties, to achieve intelligent optimization of process parameters and equipment failure prediction and diagnosis, to enhance the level of intelligence of the equipment.

(II) Product customization service

XVACUUM Technology takes into full consideration the diversified needs of different industries and customers for superconducting surface modification furnaces, and provides a full range of customized product solutions. The company's technical staff will deeply understand the customer's specific application scenarios, superconducting material characteristics and process requirements, and carry out personalized customization from the overall structural design of the equipment, the configuration of functional modules to the setting of process parameters. For electric power and energy enterprises, according to their performance requirements for superconducting cables and magnets, we customize the superconducting surface modification furnace with specific modification capability, including optimization of the ion implantation energy range, plasma processing power and other parameters, to ensure that the equipment meets the enterprise's needs for large-scale production; for scientific research institutes, according to the direction of the research and experimental needs, we design a flexible sample loading method and adjustable range of process parameters to facilitate the researchers to carry out the process under different conditions. For scientific research institutions, according to the research direction and experimental needs, the company designs flexible sample loading methods and adjustable process parameters to facilitate researchers to conduct experimental research under different conditions; for medical equipment manufacturers, the company customizes superconducting surface modification furnaces in line with the medical industry standards, and equips them with stringent cleanliness control measures and safety protection systems to ensure the safety and reliability of the equipment in the medical production environment. Through customized services, the company is able to provide customers with the most suitable equipment to help customers solve practical problems and enhance the efficiency of customers' scientific research and production.

(III) Perfect after-sales service system

XVACUUM Technology attaches great importance to after-sales service and has established a perfect after-sales service system. The company has a professional after-sales service team, which can provide customers with all-round, one-stop service. In the stage of equipment installation and commissioning, technicians will go to the customer site for equipment installation and commissioning to ensure the normal operation of the equipment, and provide systematic training to the customer's operators to make them master the operation method of the equipment, daily maintenance and troubleshooting skills. In the process of equipment use, the after-sales service team regularly visits and maintains the equipment, finds and solves potential problems in time, and prolongs the service life of the equipment. When equipment failure occurs, the after-sales service team can quickly respond by remote diagnosis or send technicians to the scene for maintenance, greatly reducing equipment downtime, to protect the customer's production and experimental work smoothly. In addition, the company also provides customers with equipment upgrading services, according to the development of technology and changes in customer demand, the performance of the equipment to improve and expand the function, so that customers can always use the advanced, reliable equipment.

Fourth, superconducting surface modification furnace market status and development trend

(A) the current market situation

At present, with the continuous application and development of superconducting technology in various fields, the market demand for superconducting surface modification furnace shows a gradual growth trend. In the market, there are relatively few suppliers of superconducting surface modification furnace, and the competitive pattern of the industry has not been fully formed. With their leading advantages in superconducting technology and material processing, some international enterprises from developed countries have occupied part of the high-end market share, mainly serving scientific research institutes and large-scale enterprises with extremely high requirements on equipment performance and precision. Domestic enterprises represented by XVACUUM Technology (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. have been developing rapidly in recent years, and have gradually gained a firm foothold in the domestic market and begun to expand to the international market by continuously increasing investment in research and development, and upgrading the quality of products and technical level. With in-depth understanding of the local market demand, high cost-effective and good customized services, domestic enterprises have won the recognition of many customers in the field of electric power energy, scientific research experiments, etc., and the market share is gradually expanding.

(ii) Development trend

Higher performance and precision: In the future, with the continuous progress of superconducting technology, the performance and precision requirements of superconducting surface modification furnace will be higher and higher. The equipment will develop towards higher vacuum, more precise temperature control, and more accurate modification parameter adjustment, in order to meet the demand for surface modification of superconducting materials under higher performance requirements. For example, the development of technology and equipment capable of achieving atomic-level precision surface modification to further optimize the performance of superconducting materials.

Intelligence and automation: Intelligence and automation will become an important development trend of superconducting surface modification furnace. The introduction of artificial intelligence, machine learning and other technologies enables the equipment to automatically analyze the material performance data, automatically optimize the modification process parameters according to the material properties and process requirements, and realize intelligent operation. At the same time, it realizes the automatic operation of the equipment, including automatic feeding, automatic modification processing, automatic inspection and other functions, which reduces human error in operation and improves the stability of production efficiency and product quality.

Multifunctional integration: In order to meet the diversified needs of customers, the superconducting surface modification furnace will integrate more functional modules. In addition to the existing functions of ion implantation, plasma treatment, laser treatment, etc., it will also integrate the functions of surface inspection, composition analysis, performance testing, etc., to realize the integrated operation from surface modification to performance testing, and provide customers with more comprehensive solutions. Meanwhile, through the modular design, the functional modules of the equipment can be flexibly combined and replaced according to customer needs, which is convenient for equipment upgrading and maintenance.

Green environmental protection and energy saving: In the context of increasing environmental protection awareness, the superconducting surface modification furnace will pay more attention to green environmental protection and energy saving design. Adopt energy-saving heating elements, vacuum pumps and modification processing equipment, optimize the energy management system of the equipment, and reduce the energy consumption of the equipment; at the same time, reduce the emissions of waste gas, waste water and waste residue produced in the modification process, and adopt environmentally friendly materials and processes to achieve sustainable development.