Detector cooling options for temperatures as low as 10 mK

Peter J. Shirron

doi:10.1117/12.615276

18 August 2005 Detector cooling options for temperatures as low as 10 mK

Peter J. Shirron

Proceedings Volume 5904, Cryogenic Optical Systems and Instruments XI; 59040W (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.615276
Event: Optics and Photonics 2005, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Upcoming far-IR space missions are faced with a very challenging requirement: to make detectors with sufficient sensitivity to be limited by the photon noise present in the darkness of space. At long wavelengths (>100μm), where the Zodiacal light is insignificant and the sky brightness corresponds to only ~100 aW, detectors must have noise equivalent powers of <10-19 W/√Hz. For fundamental reasons, this can only be achieved with detectors operating at about 20 mK, giving rise to the need for refrigerators capable of operating as low as 10 mK. Only adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators (ADR) have demonstrated both zero-g operation and the capacity for cooling into this regime. Over the last few years we have developed a multi-stage ADR that can produce continuous cooling at temperatures of 35 mK or lower, and have recently begun developing additional stages that will push the operating range below 10 mK. Our prototype device uses a 4.2 K heat sink, but it can easily work with pulse-tube or Gifford-McMahon cryocoolers. We describe the design, operation and capabilities of the ADR, as well as the cryogen-free dewar that will be used for performance tests.

Citation Download Citation

Peter J. Shirron "Detector cooling options for temperatures as low as 10 mK", Proc. SPIE 5904, Cryogenic Optical Systems and Instruments XI, 59040W (18 August 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.615276

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