My son, in his college senior year is doing some research, a machine failed today while he was using it. They have 5 defective pcbs, so apparently it has happened before. The pcb is placed in a -7 tor vacuum as I understand (I might not) The 1-1/2" x 2" pcb is $600. (smd parts) So immediately, I think well I can fix that! So other than overheating parts in the vacuum what parts would be suspect on a pcb used in a vacuum when not designed for a vacuum.
OK, just got off the phone, he's working with an ion trap. The defective board is a 905 MicroPirani? Vacuum Pressure Transducer.
He told me except for the resistors, the parts have no markings, so I'm no at all confident about any repair.
They are suspecting the vacuum is the problem and are looking to get the pcb outside of the vacuum.
The sensor can't me mounted simply as per the drawing on the webpage, because they have a second chamber in the vacuum chamber where they inject a gas and that raises the local vacuum, which they want to know.
If you have any help, I'd like to pass it along.
Mikek