The development work on ION GAUGE CONTROLLER (IGC) had begun in the year 1990-91 to measure the vacuum. The unit consists of LV as well as HV supplies, emissions stabilisation circuit, single process channel circuit, various safety trips circuit and last but most important Log & Antilog amplifier circuit. The most critical development work which developer enjoyed was measuring current in Pico ampere range and how did we overcome the problems faced during development. The first prototype IGC came into existence in the year 1993-94 and gave satisfactory results in 10-7 mbar pressure range but not in 10-10 mbar range.

We further improved the log amplifier circuit and finally in the year 1999-2000 first lot of 20 nos. of controller units got fabricated from ECIL Hyderabad and after quality control check handed over to UHV section of this institute. As the demand of controllers was increased the complete technology had transferred to them only.

This Ion Gauge Controller is very simple to operate and provides an actual measurement of vacuum system pressure. The instrument measures the pressure over the range 2x10^ -3 mbar to 2x10^ -11 mbar. The single channel process is also available in the same range.