Top Loading Cryogen Free Cryostat for Low Temperature Sample Environment

Today almost a quarter of all neutron scattering experiments performed at neutron scattering facilities require sample temperatures below 2 K. However, a global shortage of helium gas can seriously jeopardise low temperature experimental programmes at neutron scattering laboratories. Luckily the progress in cryo-cooler technology offers a new generation of cryogenic systems with significantly reduced consumption and in some cases nearly a complete elimination of cryogens. Here we discuss design and test results of a new cryogen free top-loading cryostat developed through an ISIS and Oxford Instruments collaborative project. The cryostat provides neutron scattering sample environment in the temperature range 1.4–300 K. High cooling power (0.23 W at temperature less than 2 K) achieved at the cryostat’s variable temperature insert heat exchanger allows operation of a standard dilution refrigerator insert in a continuous regime. From a user perspective, the system offers operating parameters very similar to those of an Orange cryostat but without the complication of cryogens.