Sample Environment update

Sergiy Gladchenko
New Low-temperature Goniometer
New Low-temperature Goniometer

Piezo motor 

Sample holder

Dimensions: H=115 mm; D=35 mm.

Materials: Frame – alumina;

gears, sample holder – aluminum;

motor – attocube piezoelectric motor.
New Low-temperature Goniometer

Piezo motor 

Sample holder
New Low-temperature Goniometer
New Low-temperature Goniometer

TLCCR Setup

Dilution refrigerator/He3 Insert 

Setup

Pros

• Thermalization through exchange gas, so

no mechanical thermal links limiting rotation;

Cons

• Lowest temperature 4K;

• Highest magnetic field 7T.

Pros

• Lowest temperature 50 mK;

• Highest magnetic field 10T.

Cons

• Thermalization through mechanical thermal links

limiting rotation;

• Mechanical thermal links increase it stiffness at low

temperature; can obscure the beam path. 
New Low-temperature Goniometer

TLCCR Setup

Current experiment

• Sample well temperature 10.8 K;

• Sample stick temperature 10.9 K.
New Low-temperature Goniometer

He3 Insert Setup

300K: Interval 120 deg-220 deg

85K: Interval 125 deg -190 deg

10K: Interval 143 deg – 165 deg 

Pros.

• Sample and Cold plate base temperatures

are equal ( T=0.3K).

• Heating up the sample during rotation

and angle measurement are reasonable, 

doesn’t require recondensation.

• Cooling back down to base temperature

within minutes, not hours.(Reason: sample

Holder thermally disconnected from motor)

Cons.

• Angle of rotation limited and depend on

temperature:

20 Degrees rotation

Angle 

measurement
New Low-temperature Goniometer

Vacuum sealed 

electrical connector

Indium seal

Possible approaches to thermalize Goniometer sample holder at He3 insert/Dilution refrigerator 

1. 2.
New Gas pressurizing station

• Make the whole sample 

pressurization process at the same

location; 

• Safety first! Hazard review

submitted;

• Updated and modified equipment 

best fit to sample pressurization;

• Step by step pressurization 

manual prepared.
Gas pressurizing cells modification

Reliability!

140 pieces of new modified cells has been ordered and received.

Thanks to RFO team, and Colin Wrenn and Douglas Johnson especially!
• New main temperature controller 

(better temperature control, 4 

heater loops fit to our 

experimental needs);

• New circulation pump

• Adjusted He3-He4 mixture

• Baffle modification

11T Magnet update

Mix. Chamber T = 47 mK; Sample T = 65 mK
Auto-refill of LHe and LN system (prototype) 

• LN and LHe transfer controlled by Level 

Meter monitor Model 1700 (standard 

equipment for SE Wet Cryostats);

• System of solenoid valves and relays start 

and stop the transfer of cryogenic liquids 

into the Cryostat;

• To reduce evaporation of Liquid Helium 

during and between the transfers modified 

transfer line has been designed;

• Automatic and semi-automatic regime of 

transfer will be available.
Auto-refill of LHe and LN system (prototype) 

• LN and LHe transfer controlled by Level 

Meter monitor Model 1700 (standard 

equipment for SE Wet Cryostats);

• System of solenoid valves and relays start 

and stop the transfer of cryogenic liquids 

into the Cryostat;

• To reduce evaporation of Liquid Helium 

during and between the transfers modified 

transfer line has been designed;

• Automatic and semi-automatic regime of 

transfer will be available.

To Helium 

Recovery system

Thanks to Jeff Ziegler for help with design of electronic part of system!
Auto-refill of LHe and LN system (prototype) 
Summary 

• Preparation of user and technical manuals for SE equipment, including superconducting magnets, inserts, 

low temperature cryostats;

• Designing of lifting procedure for cryogenic equipment, carts, and their combination;

• Maintenance of cryogenic equipment, updating controlling hardware and software;

• Participation in procurement process for new equipment and systems;

• Active communication with facilities worldwide to find and implement new ideas to create and operate of 

Sample environment equipment for Neutron research.

Future projects

• Goniometer project: - Test different setups for low and ultralow temperature experiments;

- Modify new and existing SE equipment for availability of use of Goniometer;

- Discuss availability of additional data line for Neutron Instruments to communicate

with LT Goniometer in experiment;

- Continue working on Patent application;

• Auto – refill of LHe and LN project: - Continue working on safe and reliable usage of Auto-refill system; 

- Design operational protocol, detailed manual, prepare hazard review;

-Discuss requirements from each Instrument for safe and un-problematic 

implementation of Auto-refill system.

• Test the communication between Neutron Instruments and SE equipment.