  Experiments based on noble elements such as gaseous or liquid argon or xenon
utilize the ionization and scintillation properties of the target materials to
detect radiation-induced recoils. A requirement for high light and charge
yields is to reduce electronegative impurities well below the ppb level. To
achieve this, the target material is continuously circulated in the gas phase
through a purifier and returned to the detector. Additionally, the low
backgrounds necessary dictate low-Rn-emanation rates from all components that
contact the gas.
  Since commercial pumps often introduce electronegative impurities from
lubricants on internal components or through small air leaks, and are not
designed to meet the radiopurity requirements, custom-built pumps are an
advantageous alternative. A new pump has been developed in Muenster in
cooperation with the nEXO group at Stanford University and the nEXO/XENON group
at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute based on a magnetically-coupled piston in a
hermetically sealed low-Rn-emanating vessel. This pump delivers high
performance for noble gases, reaching more than 210 standard liters per minute
(slpm) with argon and more than 170 slpm with xenon while maintaining a
compression of up to 1.9 bar, demonstrating its capability for noble gas
detectors and other applications requiring high standards of gas purity.
