SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CRYOGENIC REFRIGERATION

Systems and methods for improving the performance of dilution refrigeration systems include cryocondensation traps employed in the helium circuit of a dilution refrigerator may be modified to improve performance. A cryocondensation trap employs a cryocondensation surface having at least one temperature that preferably matches the temperature at which at least one contaminant freezes into a solid form from a gaseous form. A single trap with at least one continuous cryocondensation surface formed in a generally helical or spiral-like fashion with each region having a different temperature may be employed to trap a specific contaminant or set of contaminants. A single trap with multiple cryocondensation surfaces where each surface has a different temperature may be alternatively employed for the same purpose. To provide a temperature gradient in the cryocondensation trap, at least one region of the cryocondensation trap may be thermally coupled to a cold surface and/or a transfer tube.