A turbomolecular pump is a type of vacuum pump that uses high-speed rotating blades to create a vacuum. It works by transferring momentum from the rapidly spinning blades to gas molecules, effectively pushing them out of the pump. This process allows for the removal of air and other gases from a sealed environment, achieving very low pressures. These pumps are commonly used in applications requiring ultra-high vacuum, such as in semiconductor manufacturing and mass spectrometry. They are efficient and can achieve pressures as low as 10^-10 torr, making them essential for scientific research and industrial processes.