Cryogen-free cryostat for neutron scattering sample environment

• Published in: Cryogenics (Guildford) Vol. 51; no. 3; pp. 146 - 149
• Main Authors: Chapman, C.R., Evans, B.E., Dudman, M.P., Keeping, J., Down, R.B.E., Kirichek, O., Bowden, Z.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cryogenics; Cryostats; D. Instrumentation; Design engineering; E. Pulse tube; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; F. Cryostats; Helium; Inserts; Liquid helium; Neutron scattering; Oranges; Pulse tubes; Refrigerating engineering. Cryogenics. Food conservation; Refrigerators; D. Instrumentation; E. Pulse tube; F. Cryostats; Tube; Flow regime; Neutron scattering; Cryogenics; Cryostat; Development; Liquid helium; Pulse tube refrigerator; Cost analysis; Substitute; Low temperature
• ISSN: 0011-2275; 1879-2235
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cryogenics.2011.01.003

► We designed and tested a cryogen-free cryostat, based on a pulse tube refrigerator, with 50 mm diameter top-loading sample facilities for neutron scattering experiments. ► We achieved the sample temperature range 1.45–300 K in the continuous flow regime. ► The cryostat may also be used with ultra-low temperature dilution refrigerator inserts. Today all advanced neutron facilities maintain a fleet of Orange cryostats, or similar systems, to provide low temperature sample environment in neutron scattering experiments. However recent liquid helium cost increases, caused by global helium supply problems, have raised significant concern about the affordability of such cryostats. The ISIS facility is carrying out a development programme intended to substitute conventional cryostats with cryogen-free systems preferably based on pulse tube refrigerators. The main aim of the development is to create a cryogen-free system as a potential replacement for the conventional Orange cryostat. This paper describes the design and test results of a cryogen-free cryostat, based on a pulse tube refrigerator, with 50 mm diameter top-loading sample facilities for neutron scattering experiments. The sample temperature range is 1.45–300 K in the continuous flow regime. The cryostat may also be used with ultra-low temperature dilution refrigerator inserts.