The Cryogenic Subsystem For The X-Ray Spectrometer On The Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF)

Stephen H Castles; Susan R Breon; Brent A. Warner; Aristides T. Serlemitsos; Stephen M Volz; Linda A Owens; Michael G. Ryschkewitsch

doi:10.1117/12.948349

27 April 1988 The Cryogenic Subsystem For The X-Ray Spectrometer On The Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF)

Stephen H Castles, Susan R Breon, Brent A. Warner, Aristides T. Serlemitsos, Stephen M Volz, Linda A Owens, Michael G. Ryschkewitsch

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 0973, Cryogenic Optical Systems and Instruments III; (1988) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.948349
Event: 32nd Annual International Technical Symposium on Optical and Optoelectronic Applied Science and Engineering, 1988, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

The X-Ray Spectrometer (XRS) instrument on the Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) will use X-ray detectors that operate at 0.1 K. The detectors will be maintained at 0.1 K by an Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator (ADR) that operates inside a liquid helium dewar. The ADR rejects approximately 2 mW of heat to the stored liquid helium. With this low instrument heat load, the liquid helium dewar will have a long lifetime if the parasitic heat load on the helium from the surrounding, warm facility is minimized. Spaceborne helium dewars typically use up to 3 vapor cooled shields to intercept the parasitic heat load. The XRS will add mechanical coolers to provide additional cooling to the outer vapor cooled shield. The cryogenic system consists of an ADR, a liquid helium dewar, mechanical coolers, and a thermal strap to connect the coolers to the dewar. The lifetime of the stored cryogen is calculated to be up to 5 years. This cryogenic system is described, with particular attention given to the dewar, mechanical cooler, and ADR design, testing, and trade studies. A breadboard ADR is presently being fabricated and tested. The status of the construction and testing of this breadboard will be described.

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Stephen H Castles, Susan R Breon, Brent A. Warner, Aristides T. Serlemitsos, Stephen M Volz, Linda A Owens, and Michael G. Ryschkewitsch "The Cryogenic Subsystem For The X-Ray Spectrometer On The Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF)", Proc. SPIE 0973, Cryogenic Optical Systems and Instruments III, (27 April 1988); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.948349

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