A compact rotating dilution refrigerator

• Main Authors: Fear, M. J, Walmsley, P. M, Chorlton, D. A, Zmeev, D. E, Gillott, S. J, Sellers, M. C, Richardson, P. P, Agrawal, H, Batey, G, Golov, A. I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 12-09-2013
• Subjects: Physics - Fluid Dynamics; Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors; Physics - Other Condensed Matter
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1309.3089

Rev. Sci. Instrum. 84, 103905 (2013) We describe the design and performance of a new rotating dilution
refrigerator that will primarily be used for investigating the dynamics of
quantized vortices in superfluid 4He. All equipment required to operate the
refrigerator and perform experimental measurements is mounted on two
synchronously driven, but mechanically decoupled, rotating carousels. The
design allows for relative simplicity of operation and maintenance and occupies
a minimal amount of space in the laboratory. Only two connections between the
laboratory and rotating frames are required for the transmission of electrical
power and helium gas recovery. Measurements on the stability of rotation show
that rotation is smooth to around 0.001 rad/s up to angular velocities in
excess of 2.5 rad/s. The behavior of a high-Q mechanical resonator during rapid
changes in rotation has also been investigated.