Lake Shore Model 346: A New Benchmark for Fast, Precise Cryogenic Temperature Control
For research and industrial applications where temperature stability and rapid control response are critical, the Lake Shore Model 346 cryogenic temperature controller sets a new benchmark. It combines high heater power, broad sensor compatibility, and modern user interfaces to make measurement and experimental workflows more efficient, robust, and easier to manage.
The Model 346 significantly accelerates heating and temperature-control processes. With four 100 W heater outputs, it heats systems more than twice as quickly as the Model 336. This reduces downtime, allows thermal equilibrium to be reached more rapidly, and improves both throughput and scheduling reliability in complex experiments.
The standard Model 346 configuration includes ten temperature sensor inputs—enough to fully monitor and control even highly complex systems. For particularly large or distributed experimental setups, the system can be expanded with optional modules. Expansion cards increase the number of inputs to as many as 26 or add thermocouple support for higher temperature ranges.
The Model 346 supports a variety of established sensor technologies. Together with Lake Shore’s extensive range of sensors, it provides exceptionally broad temperature coverage, from the millikelvin regime to high-temperature measurements:
- Cernox® and Rox™ sensors: measurements down to 300 mK with minimal self-heating
- Platinum resistance thermometers (100 Ω): measurements up to 600 °C
- Thermocouples supported through optional expansion cards: extended high-temperature measurement capabilities
This versatility makes the controller equally well suited for low-temperature physics, materials characterization, superconducting device testing, cryostat operation, and high-temperature processes in research, development, and quality assurance.
For integration into complex measurement and automation systems, the Model 346 offers enhanced control capabilities:
- Two digital inputs, e.g, for external triggers
- Two integrated relays for signaling or controlling sequences involving peripheral equipment
These interfaces simplify synchronization with other instruments, automate processes such as heating and cooling profiles or protective routines, and improve experimental reproducibility.
Intuitive Operation and Powerful Software
The Model 346 touchscreen enables rapid setup, clear visualization of measured parameters, and convenient real-time monitoring—saving valuable time, particularly in multichannel configurations.
ColdSync™ software is included for advanced configuration and data acquisition. The software facilitates:
Initial configuration of complex experimental setups
Advanced instrument settings, including control parameters and channel assignments
Comprehensive data monitoring, logging, and analysis
Together, the touchscreen user interface and ColdSync™ provide a seamless workflow, from initial commissioning to ongoing system optimization.
The Lake Shore Model 346 combines rapid control response, precise measurement capabilities, and excellent scalability with intuitive operation and powerful software support. For laboratories and development environments where time to stability, measurement coverage, and process reliability are key performance indicators, the Model 346 provides a future-ready temperature-control solution with substantial productivity benefits.
Technical Specifications
- Ten sensor inputs, expandable to a total of 26
- Four PID-controlled 100 W heater outputs
- Four additional 1 W heater outputs
- Supported sensors: Cernox®, Rox™, Pt100 resistance thermometers, DT-670 silicon diodes, and thermocouples
- USB-C and Ethernet connectivity
