A lightweight high-capacity pulse tube cryocooler operating at 80 K

•The urgent demand of space infaraed detectors on lightweight cryocoolers is presented.•Through calculation and analysis, three key parameters affecting the weight of the cryocooler were identified: frequency, efficiency, and charge pressure.•A lightweight high-efficiency 11 W/80 K coaxial pulse tube cryocooler for infrared detectors is developed. The cryocooler weighs only 4.4 kg, which is more than half the weight of a conventional 10 W/80 K cryocooler. Lightweight high-capacity pulse tube cryocooler holds significant potential for cooling infrared detectors in various applications. In this work, a comprehensive analysis was undertaken to identify the key parameters for the cryocooler weight reduction.A miniature cold finger was designed and optimized using a small compressor.At present, a novel and lightweight single-stage coaxial pulse tube cryocooler has beendeveloped. It demonstratesa cooling power of 11 W at 80 K andwith frequency of 102 Hz.Notably, the cryocooler exhibits a significantly reduced weight of 4.4 kg,which isless than half the weight of a conventional 10 W/80 Kcryocooler.