Cleanrooms are vital to ensuring the good yield and reliability of the systems assembled in them. These assemblies often have micron-scale features that are harmed by even small concentrations of contaminants. Small pieces of hair or fluff can degrade optical imaging devices or result in mechanical distortions to assemblies. The inclusion of tiny pieces of metal can result in an electrical short-circuit and unwanted chemicals can destroy the bonding abilities of metals, leaving open circuits. Other chemicals can induce electrochemical degradations and electrostatic discharges (ESD) can result in damage to sensitive electronics. All of these effects can reduce yield and cause premature failures.​

Our cleanrooms are designed to provide a safe environment in which to handle, build and test such sensitive devices. They achieve this by combining strong working protocols such as gowning and the regulation of substances, with a well-controlled work environment. The cleanroom’s environmental controls utilise a mix of air filtration, ESD controls, and temperature and humidity controls to achieve the required working conditions. We run approximately 600m2 of cleanroom space and can access a range of smaller specialised areas within other labs. The space in R115 can be broken down into:

• 440m2 of ISO7 cleanliness for detector assembly.
• 160m2 of ISO5 cleanliness for general electronics and sensor handling.