Industrial exploitation of a novel, miniature dilution refrigerator and associated vibrometry

Lead Research Organisation: University of Manchester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

Extremely low temperatures (below 100 mK) are used in many fields, from cooling detectors for Astronomy research, to solid state physics, plasma physics and quantum computing research. In the last decade, mechanical coolers (Pulse Tube Coolers mainly) are being offered commercially with low vibrations with the potential of making cryogenic systems so called "dry", i.e. without the use of any cryogenic liquid like liquid helium and/or liquid nitrogen. There is a market for these "dry" systems capable of reaching below 100 mK - mostly using dilution refrigerators. It is therefore important to provide researchers and industries with simple commercial systems that are cryogen free, low vibration, no external re-circulation pumps, all completely electrically operated without cold moving parts. Based on our experience in building prototypes of dilution refrigerators for astronomical instruments, we now propose to bring to the market such a system. To make such systems particularly interesting, we also propose to set-up a cryogenic vibrometry facility to certify accurately the level of vibrations of the commercial systems.

Publications

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Casalta J.M. (2018) The WEAVE focus translation system: From design to construction in Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

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Ekinci M. (2018) Development of 0.5m clear aperture Cassegrain telescope in Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

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Gatkine P. (2018) Development of high-resolution Arrayed Waveguide Grating Spectrometers for Astronomical Applications: First Results in Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

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Lousberg G.P. (2018) Active optics system for the 4m telescope of the Eastern Anatolia Observatory (DAG) in Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

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Pham T. (2018) NASA Strategic Astrophysics Technology (SAT) to Develop Technologies for Large Mission Concepts in Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

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Semenov A.P. (2018) Aspherization of off-axis high-asphericity mirrors with arbitrary external circuit by means of CNC machines in Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

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Wang W.-C. (2018) The reconnaissance and early-warning optical system design for dual field of space-based "solar Blind Ultraviolet" in Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

 
Description We have now a robust design for a commercial grade sub-K refrigerator and novel sensors for cryogenic vibrometry.
Exploitation Route Several systems in need of versatile cryo free sub-K system will find our cryogenics extremely well suited. Examples are in the field of chemistry (dry sub-K EPR systems), astronomy and security (dry sub-K mm and sub-mm detector systems), etc.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Chemicals

Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)

Education

Electronics

 
Description We produced several cryogenic sub-systems for various scientific projects (QUBIC, LSPE, POLARBEAR, SIMONS ARRAY, SIMONS OBSERVATORY). We also designed, built nd tested a novel EPR dry cryostat able to reach 300 mK.
Sector Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Environment
Impact Types Cultural

Societal

 
Title Miniature refrigerators for astrophysics 
Description We developed novel sub-K refrigerators to be used in astrophysics research 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2010 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Generated interest in many other research groups in the world willing to collaborate with us. It ius a very cost effective way to participate in international collaborations 
 
Title Remote Cryogenic Thermometry Readout 
Description We have developed a data handling software for remotely control cryogenic receivers on remote telescopes (e.g. Antarctica() 
Type Of Material Data handling & control 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact System has been developed by industry (QMC Instruments) for commercial applications 
 
Description Cambridge 
Organisation University of Cambridge
Department Department of Physics
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Design of cryogenics and optics for the CLOVER project
Collaborator Contribution TES detector development
Impact Several publications on CLOVER technology
 
Description Oxford 
Organisation University of Oxford
Department Department of Physics
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Partner in the CLOVER project - we contributed the cryogenics, optics and electronics.
Collaborator Contribution RF design
Impact Several publications on CLOVER technology development