Experimental analysis of the thermal behavior of a GM cryocooler based on linear system theory

Abstract

Closed cycle refrigerators for cryogenic temperatures (cryocoolers) provide a convenient solution in a wide range of applications, from low temperature physics to cryopumping, superconducting magnets or low noise infrared sensing. Understanding in detail the physical mechanisms underlying cryocooler operation is then of practical and fundamental interest. This paper deals with the analysis as a linear dynamical system of a GM cryocooler operation, considered over a limited range of temperature around a setpoint. The method is interesting as a way to model the thermal behavior of the refrigerator that can be effective in systematic analysis of cryocoolers thermal behaviour and design of temperature controllers.