Dilution Refrigerator Insert Research Articles

New applications for the world’s smallest high-precision capacitance dilatometer and its stress-implementing counterpart

We introduce a new stress dilatometer with exactly the same size and mass as the world’s smallest miniature capacitance dilatometer (height × width × depth = 15 × 14 × 15 mm3, mass: 12 g). To develop this new device, only a single part of the most recently developed mini-dilatometer, the so-called “body,” needs to be replaced. Therefore, the new mini-dilatometer with an interchangeable body can be used for high-resolution measurements of thermal expansion and magnetostriction with and without large stress. We also report two novel applications of both mini-dilatometer cell types. Our new setup was installed for the first time in a cryogen-free system (PPMS DynaCool). The first new setup allows the rotation of both dilatometers in situ at any angle between −90° ≥ μ ≥ +90° in the temperature range from 320 to 1.8 K. We also installed our mini-cells in a dilution refrigerator insert of a PPMS DynaCool, in which dilatometric measurements are now possible in the temperature range from 4 to 0.06 K. Because of the limited sample space, such measurements could not be performed so far. For both new applications, we can resolve the impressive length changes to 0.01 Å.

Cryogen Free Cryostat

The advanced neutron facilities at low temperature below 1k are mainly based on helium refrigerator inserts and dilution that are used with orange cryostat (OC) or similar type of system. Recently global helium supplied problem causes the increased cost of liquid helium that has been raised the concerns about the affordability of cryostat. In this model the design and results are mainly based on the top loading cryostat which are cryogen free. The dilution refrigerator insert which are used in this model will provide sample environment for neutron scattering experiment that is seen between the temperature ranges from (36 mK to 293 mK). The refrigerator insert are operated in the continuous regimen. The cooling time and orange cryostat which are insert are always similar to each other. The performance criteria thar are created are based on the base temperature, rate of compatible and the cooling power which are present in the specification of the standard dilution refrigerator. This system will offers many types of operating parameters that are similar to orange cryostat but does not cause any complications of cryogens. In this model the first scientific result are obtained which are in the low temperature based neuron scattering experiment with the system are also discussed.

Cryogen Free Ultra-Low Temperature Cryostat for Neutron Scattering Experiments

Most ultra-low temperature (below 1K) experiments at advanced neutron facilities are based on dilution and 3He refrigerator inserts used with Orange cryostats, or similar systems. However recent increases in liquid helium costs; caused by global helium supply problems, has raised significant concern about the affordability of such cryostats. Here we present the design and test results of a cryogen free top-loading cryostat which provides neutron scattering sample environment within the temperature range 1.25 – 300K. The high cooling power of the cryostat 0.23 W at 1.9 K enables the operation of a dilution refrigerator insert in a continuous regime; which expands the low temperature margin of the temperature range to 35 mK. The cooling time of the dilution refrigerator insert is similar to one operated in an Orange cryostat. The main performance criteria such as base temperature, cooling power, and circulation rate are compatible with the technical specification of a standard dilution refrigerator. In fact the system offers operating parameters very similar to those of an Orange cryostat, but without the complication of cryogens. The first scientific results obtained in an ultra-low temperature neutron scattering experiment with this system are also going to be discussed.

Cryogen free cryostat for neutron scattering experiments

Most very low temperature (below 1K) experiments at advanced neutron facilities are based on dilution and 3He refrigerator inserts used with Orange cryostats, or similar systems. However recent increases in the cost of liquid helium caused by global helium supply problems, has raised significant concern about the affordability of such cryostats. Here we present the design and test results of a cryogen free top-loading cryostat with a standard KelvinoxVT® dilution refrigerator insert which provides sample environment for neutron scattering experiments in the temperature range 35 mK - 300 K. The dilution refrigerator insert operates in a continuous regime. The cooling time of the insert is similar to one operated in the Orange cryostat. The main performance criteria such as base temperature, cooling power, and circulation rate are compatible with the technical specification of a standard dilution refrigerator. In fact the system offers operating parameters very similar to those of an Orange cryostat, but without the complication of cryogens. The first scientific results obtained in ultra-low temperature neutron scattering experiment with this system are also going to be discussed.

Cryogen-free dilution refrigerator for ACTPOL polarization- sensitive receiver

We present a new cryogenic receiver for the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT), a six-meter diameter off-axis Gregorian telescope located at an altitude of 5,200 meters (17,000 ft.) on Cerro Toco, in Northern Chile. The focal plane contains 3000 polarization-sensitive transition edge sensor (TES) bolometers, and is cooled to below 100 mK with a removable pulse-tube based customised JDry-100 dilution refrigerator insert. The optical tubes and the rest of the receiver are cooled with a dedicated pulse tube to below 3 K. Details of the receiver- to-telescope integration and first season on-site operation are described, including detector base temperature stability in vertical and tilted position as well as remote operation via Ethernet link.

An ultra-low temperature scanning Hall probe microscope for magnetic imaging below 40 mK.

We describe the design of a low temperature scanning Hall probe microscope (SHPM) for a dilution refrigerator system. A detachable SHPM head with 25.4 mm OD and 200 mm length is integrated at the end of the mixing chamber base plate of the dilution refrigerator insert (Oxford Instruments, Kelvinox MX-400) by means of a dedicated docking station. It is also possible to use this detachable SHPM head with a variable temperature insert (VTI) for 2 K-300 K operations. A microfabricated 1μm size Hall sensor (GaAs/AlGaAs) with integrated scanning tunneling microscopy tip was used for magnetic imaging. The field sensitivity of the Hall sensor was better than 1 mG/√Hz at 1 kHz bandwidth at 4 K. Both the domain structure and topography of LiHoF4, which is a transverse-field Ising model ferromagnet which orders below TC = 1.53 K, were imaged simultaneously below 40 mK.

Top Loading Cryogen Free Cryostat for Low Temperature Sample Environment

Today almost a quarter of all neutron scattering experiments performed at neutron scattering facilities require sample temperatures below 2 K. However, a global shortage of helium gas can seriously jeopardise low temperature experimental programmes at neutron scattering laboratories. Luckily the progress in cryo-cooler technology offers a new generation of cryogenic systems with significantly reduced consumption and in some cases nearly a complete elimination of cryogens. Here we discuss design and test results of a new cryogen free top-loading cryostat developed through an ISIS and Oxford Instruments collaborative project. The cryostat provides neutron scattering sample environment in the temperature range 1.4–300 K. High cooling power (0.23 W at temperature less than 2 K) achieved at the cryostat’s variable temperature insert heat exchanger allows operation of a standard dilution refrigerator insert in a continuous regime. From a user perspective, the system offers operating parameters very similar to those of an Orange cryostat but without the complication of cryogens.

New generation of cryogen free advanced superconducting magnets for neutron scattering experiments

Recent advances in superconducting technology and cryocooler refrigeration have resulted in a new generation of advanced superconducting magnets for neutron beam applications. These magnets have outstanding parameters such as high homogeneity and stability at highest magnetic fields possible, a reasonably small stray field, low neutron scattering background and larger exposure to neutron detectors. At the same time the pulse tube refrigeration technology provides a complete re-condensing regime which allows to minimise the requirements for cryogens without introducing additional noise and mechanical vibrations. The magnets can be used with dilution refrigerator insert which expands the temperature range from 20mK to 300K. Here we are going to present design, test results and the operational data of the 14T magnet for neutron diffraction and the 9T wide angle chopper magnet for neutron spectroscopy developed by Oxford Instruments in collaboration with ISIS neutron source. First scientific results obtained from the neutron scattering experiments with these magnets are also going to be discussed.

Operation of superconducting magnet with dilution refrigerator insert in zero boil-off regime

The combination of high magnetic field and ultra-low temperatures has proved to be indispensable for a broad range of condensed matter physics experiments. However problems with the global helium supply have raised significant concern about affordability of conventional cryogenic equipment. The latest developments in cryo-cooler technology offer a new generation of cryogenic systems in which the cryogen consumption can be significantly reduced and in some cases completely eliminated. We have demonstrated a new high magnetic field – ultra-low temperature neutron scattering sample environment system based on re-condensing technology. In our tests we have shown that the 9 T superconducting magnet, built for the ISIS facility, can be run with a dilution refrigerator insert in continuous zero boil-off regime without any additional cooling.

Automated and versatile SQUID magnetometer for the measurement of materials properties at millikelvin temperatures

We present the design and construction of a SQUID-based magnetometer for operation down to temperatures T≃10mK, while retaining the compatibility with the sample holders typically used in commercial SQUID magnetometers. The system is based on a dc-SQUID coupled to a second-order gradiometer. The sample is placed inside the plastic mixing chamber of a dilution refrigerator and is thermalized directly by the He3 flow. To measure the magnetic moment, the sample is moved through the gradiometer coils by lifting the whole dilution refrigerator insert. A home-developed software provides full automation and an easy user interface.

A high magnetic field and very low temperature cryomagnet for neutron scattering experiments

A cryomagnetic system is described in which the main components are a cryostat providing variable temperatures and a superconducting magnet The cryostat enables the magnet to operate either at 4.2 K or 2.17 K and the sample temperature to be varied from 1.5 K to 300 K. The magnet is a split coil providing a vertical magnetic field of 8.7 T at 4.2 K and 10 T at 2.17 K. A 3He- 4He dilution refrigerator insert can be used to reach T = 50 mK. A few significative experimental results are presented concerning UAs, CeSb, CeB6 and TMMC.