A three-stage helium sorption refrigerator for cooling of infrared detectors to 280 mK

R. S. Bhatia, S. T. Chase, S. F. Edgington, J. Glenn, W. C. Jones, A. E. Lange, B. Maffei, A. K. Mainzer, P. D. Mauskopf, B. J. Philhour, B. K. Rownd

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

We review some of the applications of submillimetre instruments for astronomy and Earth atmospheric sciences where helium sorption refrigerators have been used. We describe a three-stage helium refrigerator which uses a 4He-3He double-stage refrigerator to precool and intercept the parasitic heatload on a final 3He single-stage refrigerator. This multi-stage configuration permits operation of the refrigerator system without externally pumping on a 4He bath. This results in simpler integration with the instrument and allows scientific observations to be more easily made. We have achieved a base temperature of 234 mK for a hold time of 20.4 h. The heat lift at 280 mK is 15 μW.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)685-691
Number of pages7
JournalCryogenics
Volume40
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cryostats (F)
  • He systems (E)
  • Infrared detectors (D)
  • Sorption coolers (E)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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