Abstract
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.
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Notes
ISIS—pulsed neutron and muon source at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, UK, operated by STFC.
Abbreviations
- ULT::
-
ultra low temperature
- SE::
-
sample environment
- PTR::
-
pulse tube refrigerator
- VTI::
-
variable temperature insert
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Acknowledgements
We are very grateful to members of the ISIS sample environment group involved in the ISIS cryogen free development project. We also greatly appreciate the fruitful collaboration with colleagues from Oxford Instruments.
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Kirichek, O., Foster, T.J., Down, R.B.E. et al. Top Loading Cryogen Free Cryostat for Low Temperature Sample Environment. J Low Temp Phys 171, 737–744 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10909-013-0858-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10909-013-0858-x