DOE Revue 913

1.) Scientific and/or technical merit of the project

The proposal identifies the potential limit of NEG pumps currently used in ultra high vacuum environments, there is no indication that cryo pumps can improve the vacuum. The proposal indicates that the NEG pumps are currently pumping down to pressures of 10^{-12} Torr. The typical cryo pump can easily go to 10^{-8} and vendors advertise 10^{-9} Torr. There are developments in the field which advertise 10^{-13} Torr cryo pumps just as there are some advertising 10^{-13} NEG pumps. The proposal would be improved by identifying the pumps which will improve the vacuum by at least a factor of 10 over the current advertised limit of 10^{-12} Torr.

2.) Appropriateness of the proposed method or approach

3.) Competency of Personnel

4.) Reasonableness and appropriateness of the Budget

The budget materials and supplies section would benefit from an itemized list of supplies and their costs for items beyond $10,000. In particular it is unclear how much a cryopumping system capable of < 10^{-12} Torr would cost to implement.

5.) Relevance to DOE mission

6.) Leadership within the scientific community.

5-6: Strongly encourage 3-4: Encourage 1-2: Discourage