Infinite Helium
We present: Infinite Helium - an automated solution that makes your LHe cryostat cryogen-free.
With the Infinite Helium, our partner Lake Shore has developed a new solution to expand existing flow cryostats with a closed cooling circuit. Similar to the Recirculating Gas Cooler, the Infinite Helium replaces the supply of liquid helium from Dewar vessels and regulates the collection of the warm helium. The helium circulates in a closed circuit so that no gas needs to be refilled and the system becomes a genuine closed-cycle system.
Typically, the Infinite Helium is used with the ST-500 cryostat for microscopy, the ST-400 cryostat for UHV and beamline applications and the ST-FTIR or ST-NMR cryostats. In addition, the system is compatible with Lake Shore's entire range of flow cryostats and also with many flow cryostats from other manufacturers. Lake Shore has focused on three key aspects during development: Automation, low base temperature and very low vibration.
The automation functions ensure consistent, optimum performance regardless of the cryostat. Thanks to the comprehensive sample detection, the system automatically recognizes which flow rate of helium is required for optimum adjustment depending on the heat load for a low base temperature. It also determines which base temperature can be achieved with the respective sample.
With the Infinite Helium, base temperatures of less than 2.2 K can be achieved. In typical applications with an ST-500, the base temperature is below 3.4 K with a cooling capacity of 450 mW at 5 K.
At the same time, the Infinite Helium introduces hardly any vibrations into the system. In a setup for microscopy applications, vibrations < 2 nm from 5 Hz can be achieved reproducibly.
Thanks to the automation of the system, samples can be exchanged without the cold head having to be warmed up. If tests or applications take longer, this is also not a problem. The Infinite Helium can operate continuously for six months or more without the need for maintenance. Other solutions often need to be warmed up and serviced every few weeks.
The Infinite Helium is available in two versions: Infinite Helium and Infinite Helium Plus.
Properties:
- Fully automated - no manual valve adjustment
- < 2.2 K base temperature
- Low thermal drift
- Low vibration
- Over 6 months continuous operating time
- Automated safety warnings
- Intuitive touchscreen user interface
