Patent Publication Number: US-2022221107-A1

Title: Custom thermal shields for cryogenic environments

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The subject disclosure relates to cryogenic environments, and more specifically, to techniques of facilitating custom thermal shields for cryogenic environments. 
     A cryostat can maintain samples or devices positioned on a sample mounting surface located within the cryostat at temperatures approaching absolute zero to facilitate evaluating such samples or devices under cryogenic conditions. Cryostats generally provide such low temperatures utilizing multiple thermal stages that comprise a thermal profile in which each subsequent thermal stage has a progressively lower temperature than exists at a preceding thermal stage. Maintaining the samples or devices within the cryostat under cryogenic conditions can involve thermally isolating the sample mounting surface from ambient environment proximate to the cryostat. 
     Such thermal isolation is generally provided by an outer vacuum chamber of the cryostat that can maintain the multiple thermal stages under vacuum conditions. Some cryostats employ an outer vacuum chamber having a top plate and a vacuum can. The top plate mechanically couples to thermal stages of a cryostat and the vacuum can couples with the top plate via a sealing mechanism to enclose the thermal stages within the outer vacuum chamber. Operation of a pump can reduce a pressure within the outer vacuum chamber to maintain the thermal stages under vacuum conditions. 
     One or more thermal shields disposed within an outer vacuum chamber of a cryostat can provide additional thermal isolation for thermal stages of a cryostat. A thermal shield can generally provide such thermal isolation by obstructing electromagnetic waves (e.g., blackbody radiation) generated by a heat source external to the thermal shield. By obstructing such electromagnetic waves, the thermal shield can mitigate thermal radiation from the heat source to lower temperature regions of the cryostat within the thermal shield. 
     While a thermal shield can be effective in providing thermal isolation for cryostats, the thermal shield can negatively impact scalability of cryostats. For example, some cryostats employ thermal shields implemented as a cylinder having an open end and a closed end that opposes the open end. In some instances, cryostats can employ such thermal shields due to vertical clearance requirements associated with top-loading or bottom-loading sample exchange mechanisms. The closed end of such thermal shields can represent an obstruction for routing input/output lines to the sample mounting surface from a region external to the outer vacuum chamber. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a summary to provide a basic understanding of one or more embodiments of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or critical elements, or delineate any scope of the particular embodiments or any scope of the claims. Its sole purpose is to present concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. In one or more embodiments described herein, systems, devices, and/or methods that facilitate custom thermal shields for cryogenic environments are described. 
     According to an embodiment, a cryostat can comprise a thermal shield extending between a thermal stage and a base structure coupled to a bottom plate of an outer vacuum chamber. The thermal stage can be coupled to a top plate of the outer vacuum chamber. The thermal shield can provide access to a sample mounting surface encompassed within the thermal shield from a region external to the outer vacuum chamber via the top and bottom plates of the outer vacuum chamber. One aspect of such a cryostat is that the cryostat can facilitate custom thermal shields for cryogenic environments. 
     In an embodiment, the thermal shield is partitioned into a plurality of sections extending between the thermal stage and the base structure. One aspect of such a cryostat is that the cryostat can facilitate modularity in implementing a thermal shield. 
     According to another embodiment, a cryostat can comprise a flexible structure intervening between a thermal shield and a bottom structure coupled to a bottom plate of an outer vacuum chamber. The flexible structure can mechanically couple the thermal shield to the bottom structure. The thermal shield can extend between the bottom structure and a thermal stage coupled to a top plate of the outer vacuum chamber. The thermal shield can provide access to a sample mounting surface encompassed within the thermal shield from a region external to the outer vacuum chamber via the top and bottom plates of the outer vacuum chamber. One aspect of such a cryostat is that the cryostat can facilitate custom thermal shields for cryogenic environments. 
     In an embodiment, the flexible structure can facilitate vertical movement of the thermal shield with respect to the base structure. One aspect of such a cryostat is that the cryostat can facilitate preserving a structural integrity of the thermal shield as the geometries of the thermal stage vary due to thermal expansion/contraction. 
     According to another embodiment, a cryostat can comprise a base structure coupled to a bottom plate of an outer vacuum chamber and a flexible structure intervening between the base structure and a thermal shield. The flexible structure can mechanically couple the base structure to the thermal shield. The thermal shield can extend between the base structure and a thermal stage coupled to a top plate of the outer vacuum chamber. The thermal shield can provide access to a sample mounting surface encompassed within the thermal shield from a region external to the outer vacuum chamber via the top and bottom plates of the outer vacuum chamber. One aspect of such a cryostat is that the cryostat can facilitate custom thermal shields for cryogenic environments. 
     In an embodiment, the flexible structure can thermally couple the base structure with the thermal stage. One aspect of such a cryostat is that the cryostat can facilitate minimizing a thermal gradient within the thermal shield. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example, non-limiting cryostat, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example, non-limiting external isometric view depicting a thermal shield of the cryostat of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example, non-limiting internal side view depicting the thermal shield of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example, non-limiting thermal shield, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the example, non-limiting thermal shield of  FIG. 4  extending between a thermal stage and a base structure, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the example, non-limiting thermal shield of  FIG. 4  mechanically coupled to the base structure by a flexible structure intervening between the thermal shield and the base structure, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the flexible structure facilitating vertical movement of the example, non-limiting thermal shield of  FIG. 4  with respect to the base structure in a first direction, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the flexible structure facilitating vertical movement of the example, non-limiting thermal shield of  FIG. 4  with respect to the base structure in a second direction that opposes the first direction of  FIG. 7 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example, non-limiting isometric view depicting a metal strip that overlays a seam intervening between adjacent sections of a thermal shield, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an example, non-limiting orthogonal view depicting the metal strip of  FIG. 9  in a flat state, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example, non-limiting side view of the metal strip of  FIG. 9  in the flat state, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an example, non-limiting orthogonal view depicting the metal strip of  FIG. 9  in a folded state, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an example, non-limiting top view depicting the metal strip of  FIG. 9  in the folded state, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an example, non-limiting isometric view depicting a section of a thermal shield, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an example, non-limiting orthogonal view depicting the thermal shield section of  FIG. 14  in a flat state, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an example, non-limiting side view of the thermal shield section of  FIG. 14  in the flat state, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an example, non-limiting orthogonal view depicting the thermal shield section of  FIG. 14  in a folded state, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an example, non-limiting top view depicting the thermal shield section of  FIG. 14  in the folded state, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates an example, non-limiting isometric view depicting a section of a thermal shield, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an example, non-limiting orthogonal view depicting the thermal shield section of  FIG. 19  in a flat state, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates an example, non-limiting side view of the thermal shield section of  FIG. 19  in the flat state, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates an example, non-limiting orthogonal view depicting the thermal shield section of  FIG. 19  in a folded state, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 23  illustrates an example, non-limiting top view depicting the thermal shield section of  FIG. 19  in the folded state, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit embodiments and/or application or uses of embodiments. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied information presented in the preceding Background or Summary sections, or in the Detailed Description section. 
     One or more embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like referenced numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the one or more embodiments. It is evident, however, in various cases, that the one or more embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example, non-limiting cryostat  100 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. As shown in  FIG. 1 , cryostat  100  comprises an outer vacuum chamber  110  formed by a sidewall  112  intervening between a top plate  114  and a bottom plate  116 . In operation, outer vacuum chamber  110  can maintain a pressure differential between an ambient environment  120  of outer vacuum chamber  110  and an interior  130  of outer vacuum chamber  110 . Cryostat  100  can further comprise a plurality of thermal stages (or stages)  140  disposed within interior  130  that are each mechanically coupled to top plate  114 . The plurality of stages  140  includes: stage  141 , stage  143 , stage  145 , stage  147 , and stage  149 . 
     Each stage among the plurality of stages  140  can be associated with a different temperature. For example, stage  141  can be a 50-kelvin (50-K) stage that is associated with a temperature of 50 kelvin (K), stage  143  can be a 4-kelvin (4-K) stage that is associated with a temperature of 4 K, stage  145  can be associated with a temperature of 700 millikelvin (mK), stage  147  can be associated with a temperature of 100 mK, and stage  149  can be associated with a temperature of 10 mK. In an embodiment, stage  145  can be a Still stage, stage  147  can be a Cold Plate stage, and stage  149  can be a Mixing Chamber stage. One or more support rods (e.g., support rod  142 ) can couple the plurality of stages  140  to top plate  114  of outer vacuum chamber  110 . Moreover, each stage among the plurality of stages  140  can be spatially isolated from other stages of the plurality of stages  140  by a plurality of support rods (e.g., support rod  144 ). In an embodiment, support rods  142  and/or  144  can comprise stainless steel. 
     As shown by  FIG. 1 , cryostat  100  can further comprise one or more base structures coupled to bottom plate  116  of outer vacuum chamber  110 . For example, cryostat  100  can further comprise a base structure  160  that can facilitate mechanically supporting a thermal shield associated with stage  141 . In an embodiment, base structure  160  and stage  141  can operate at substantially similar temperatures (e.g., 50 K). As another example, cryostat  100  can further comprise a base structure  170  that can facilitate mechanically supporting a thermal shield associated with stage  143 . In an embodiment, base structure  170  and stage  143  can operate at substantially similar temperatures (e.g., 4 K). One or more support rods (e.g., support rod  162 ) can couple base structures  160  and/or  170  to bottom plate  116  of outer vacuum chamber  110 . Moreover, plates  160  and  170  can be spatially isolated by a plurality of support rods (e.g., support rod  164 ). 
       FIGS. 2-3  illustrate example, non-limiting views of a thermal shield  210  of cryostat  100 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. In particular,  FIGS. 2-3  illustrate an external isometric view  200  and an internal side view  300  of thermal shield  210 , respectively. As shown by  FIGS. 2-3 , a thermal shield  210  can be partitioned into multiple sections (e.g., sections  212  and  216 ) that each extend between a thermal stage (e.g., stage  141 ) and a base structure (e.g., base structure  160 ). Sections  212  and  216  of thermal shield  210  can comprise a plurality of clearance holes (e.g., clearance holes  211  and  215 ) for receiving attachment mechanisms (e.g., bolts and/or screws) that facilitate coupling thermal shield  210  to stage  141 . Sections  212  and  216  of thermal shield  210  can further comprise a plurality of clearance holes (e.g., clearance holes  213  and  217 ) for receiving attachment mechanisms (e.g., bolts and/or screws) that facilitate coupling thermal shield  210  to base structure  160 . As discussed in greater detail below, a flexible structure (e.g., flexible structure  630  of  FIGS. 6-9 ) intervening between thermal shield  210  and base structure  160  can mechanically and thermally couple thermal shield  210  and base structure  160  to facilitate movement of thermal shield  210  with respect to base structure  160 . 
     Thermal shield  210  can comprise a metal strip  220  extending between stage  141  and base structure  160 . Metal strip  220  can overlay a seam or gap intervening between adjacent sections of thermal shield  210 . For example, a side edge  312  of section  212  and a side edge  316  of section  216  can define a seam or gap between sections  212  and  216 . In this example, the seam or gap between sections  212  and  216  can arise due to machining tolerances associated with manufacturing sections  212  and  216 . As shown by  FIGS. 2-3 , metal strip  220  can overlay the seam or gap intervening between sections  212  and  216  of thermal shield  210  to minimize radiation of energy from heat sources external to thermal shield  210  to lower temperature thermal stages of cryostat  100 . In an embodiment, thermal shield  210  can comprise a minimum thickness (e.g., an eigth of an inch). In an embodiment, the minimum thickness of thermal shield  210  can be defined by a pressure level within outer vacuum chamber  110  while cryostat  100  is operational. 
       FIGS. 4-6  illustrate an example, non-limiting cryostat  400  with a thermal shield  410 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. With reference to  FIG. 4 , thermal shield  410  can encompass a sample mounting surface  430  positioned within an inner chamber  420  of cryostat  400 . Sample mounting surface  430  can be associated with the lowest temperature thermal stage of cryostat  400 . For example, sample mounting surface  430  can be thermally coupled to a Mixing Chamber stage of cryostat  400 . Thermal shield  400  generally obstructs electromagnetic waves (e.g., blackbody radiation) generated by a heat source (e.g., higher temperature thermal stage of cryostat  400 ) to mitigate thermal radiation from the heat source to lower temperature thermal stages (e.g., sample mounting surface  430 ) of cryostat  400 . In an embodiment, thermal shield  410  can comprise aluminum, copper, brass, titanium, gold, platinum, or a combination thereof. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , cryostat  400  can comprise a top plate  510  and a bottom plate  520  of an outer vacuum chamber that can maintain a pressure differential between an exterior region  505  of the outer vacuum chamber and an interior region  507  of the outer vacuum chamber. Cryostat  400  can further comprise a thermal stage  530  and a base structure  540  that are coupled to top plate  510  and bottom plate  520 , respectively. Thermal stage  530  and base structure  540  can be mechanically coupled to and spatially isolated from top plate  510  and bottom plate  520 , respectively, by a plurality of support rods (e.g., support rods  535  and  545 ). 
     In various embodiments, thermal shield  410  can be partitioned into multiple sections to facilitate modularity in implementing thermal shield  410 . By way of example,  FIGS. 4-5  illustrate thermal shield  410  being partition into two sections—sections  412  and  416 . As illustrated by  FIG. 5 , sections  412  and  416  each extend between thermal stage  530  and base structure  540  of cryostat  400 . In an embodiment, sections  412  and  416  can be removably coupled such that section  412  can be removed from cryostat  400  in a direction  401  and section  416  can be removed from cryostat  400  in a direction  403  that opposes direction  401 . In an embodiment, sections  412  and  416  can be removably coupled such that section  412  can be removed from cryostat  400  in a direction  401  and section  416  can be removed from cryostat  400  in a direction  403  that opposes direction  401 . 
     In an embodiment, the multiple sections of thermal shield  410  can include a stationary section and a removeable section. In this embodiment, the stationary section can be permanently or semi-permanently coupled (e.g., welded) to a frame structure associated with the outer vacuum chamber comprising top and bottom plates  510  and  520 . Permanently or semi-permanently coupling the stationary section to the frame structure can extend a time for removal of the stationary section from cryostat  400 . In this embodiment, the removeable section can be impermanently coupled (e.g., via attachment mechanisms, such as bolts and/or screws) to the frame structure. Impermanently coupling the removeable section to the frame structure can reduce a time for removal of the removeable section from cryostat  400  to facilitate quick access to components encompassed within thermal shield  410 . 
     As shown by  FIGS. 4-5 , thermal shield  410  can provide access to sample mounting surface  430  from exterior region  505  of the outer vacuum chamber via top plate  510  and bottom plate  540  of the outer vacuum chamber. One aspect of providing such access to sample mounting surface  430  can involve thermal shield  410  being arranged to provide minimal obstructions between sample mounting surface  430  and the top and bottom plates  510  and  520  of the outer vacuum chamber. For example, inner chamber  420  can comprise a feedthrough port  422  intervening between sample mounting surface  430  and top plate  510 . Inner chamber  420  can further comprise a feedthrough port  424  intervening between sample mounting surface  430  and bottom plate  520 . Feedthrough ports  422  and  424  can facilitate providing lines  440  and  450  of an input/output line pair with access to sample mounting surface  430  from exterior region  505 . 
     In this example, top plate  510  and thermal stage  530  can intervene between feedthrough port  422  and exterior region  505 . As such, top plate  510  and thermal stage  530  can represent obstructions for routing line  440  between exterior region  505  and sample mounting surface  430 . To mitigate such obstructions, top plate  510  and thermal stage  530  can include feedthrough ports  512  and  532 , respectively, that align with feedthrough port  422 . In contrast, the routing of line  440  between exterior region  505  and sample mounting surface  430  is unobstructed by thermal shield  410 . Therefore, thermal shield  410  lacks feedthrough ports for routing line  440  between exterior region  505  and sample mounting surface  430 . 
     Similarly, bottom plate  520  and base structure  540  intervene between feedthrough port  424  and exterior region  505  in this example. As such, bottom plate  520  and base structure  540  can represent obstructions for routing line  450  between exterior region  505  and sample mounting surface  430 . To mitigate such obstructions, bottom plate  520  and base structure  540  can include feedthrough ports  522  and  542 , respectively, that align with feedthrough port  424 . In contrast, the routing of line  450  between exterior region  505  and sample mounting surface  430  is again unobstructed by thermal shield  410 . Therefore, thermal shield  410  lacks feedthrough ports for routing line  450  between exterior region  505  and sample mounting surface  430 . By providing unobstructed routing for input/output lines between exterior region  505  and sample mounting surface  430  via both top plate  510  and bottom plate  520 , thermal shield  410  can facilitate accommodating an increased number of input/output lines. 
     Thermal shield  410  can extend between thermal stage  530  and base structure  540 . In an embodiment, thermal stage  530  can be a 50-K stage, a 4-K stage, a Still stage, a Cold Plate state, or a Mixing Chamber stage. In an embodiment, thermal stage  530  and base structure  540  can operate at substantially similar temperatures. For example, if thermal stage  530  is a 4-K stage, base structure  540  can operate at a temperature of approximately 4 K. As thermal shield  410  extends between thermal stage  530  and base structure  540 , a thermal gradient can develop within thermal shield  410 . To facilitate minimizing such thermal gradients, thermal shield  410  can be thermally coupled with thermal stage  530  and base structure  540 . 
     Mechanically coupling thermal shield  410  with thermal stage  530  and base structure  540  can facilitate thermally coupling thermal shield  410  with thermal stage  530  and base structure  540 . However, one skilled in the art will recognize that geometries of thermal stage  530  and base structure  540  can vary as respective temperatures of thermal stage  530  and base structure  540  change due to thermal expansion/contraction. Moreover, the respective geometries of thermal stage  530  and base structure  540  can vary at different rates, directions, and/or magnitudes. Therefore, mechanically coupling thermal shield  410  with thermal stage  530  and base structure  540  in a rigid manner can negatively impact a structural integrity of thermal shield  410 . Accordingly, providing some flexibility in the mechanical coupling of thermal shield  410  with thermal stage  530  and base structure  540  can facilitate preserving a structure integrity of thermal shield  410 . 
     As shown by  FIGS. 6-8 , a flexible structure  630  intervening between thermal shield  410  and base structure  540  can provide such flexibility by concurrently mechanically coupling and thermally coupling thermal shield  410  to base structure  540 . In an embodiment, flexible structure  630  can comprise aluminum, copper, brass, titanium, gold, platinum, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, flexible structure  630  can comprise a foil or a braided wire. Flexible structure  630  can couple with an attachment point  620  of base structure  540  on an interior side  413  of section  412  of thermal shield  410 . Flexible structure  630  can also couple with thermal shield  410  at an attachment point  610  (e.g., clearance holes  1430  and/or  1930  of  FIGS. 14 and 19 , respectively) of section  412  on an exterior side  411  that opposes interior side  413 . 
       FIGS. 7-8  illustrate that flexible structure  630  can facilitate movement of thermal shield  410  with respect to base structure  540 . For example, thermal shield  410  can be mechanically anchored to thermal stage  530  via a plurality of attachment mechanisms (e.g., bolts and/or screws) passing through respective clearances holes (e.g., clearance holes  1410  and  1910  of  FIGS. 14 and 19 , respectively) of thermal shield  410 . In this example, geometries of thermal stage  530  can vary due to thermal expansion/contraction that imparts vertical movement on thermal shield  410  in an upward direction  601  and/or a downward direction  603  that opposes the upward direction  601 . 
     By operation of flexible structure  630  such vertical movement imparted on thermal shield  410  can translate into vertical displacement between thermal stage  530  and base structure  540  instead of negatively impacting a structural integrity of thermal shield  410 . As shown by  FIG. 7 , the vertical movement imparted on thermal shield  410  in upward direction  601  can increase vertical displacement  710  between thermal stage  530  and base structure  540 . As shown by  FIG. 8 , the vertical movement imparted on thermal shield  410  in downward direction  601  can decrease vertical displacement  810  between thermal stage  530  and base structure  540 . 
     Flexible structure  630  can comprise slack or excess to accommodate for such increased and/or decreased vertical displacement between thermal stage  530  and base structure  540 . In an embodiment, the slack or excess of flexible structure  630  can be defined by a maximum vertical displacement of thermal shield  410  responsive to varying geometries of thermal stage  530  due to thermal expansion or contraction. In an embodiment, the maximum vertical displacement of thermal shield  410  can be determined using a maximum increase in vertical displacement (e.g., increase vertical displacement  710 ) between thermal stage  530  and base structure  540 . In an embodiment, the maximum vertical displacement of thermal shield  410  can be determined using a maximum decrease in vertical displacement (e.g., decrease vertical displacement  810 ) between thermal stage  530  and base structure  540 . 
       FIGS. 9-13  illustrate example, non-limiting views of a metal strip  905  that overlays a seam intervening between adjacent sections of a thermal shield, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. In particular,  FIG. 9  illustrates an isometric view  900  of metal strip  905 .  FIGS. 10-11  illustrate an orthogonal view  1000  and a side view  1100  of metal strip  905  in a flat state, respectively.  FIGS. 12-13  illustrate an orthogonal view  1200  and a top view  1300  of metal strip  905  in a folded state, respectively. With reference to  FIGS. 9-13 , metal strip  905  can comprise a plurality of clearance holes  910  positioned along a longitudinal axis  1010  of metal strip  905 . Each clearance hole among the plurality of clearance holes  910  can receive an attachment mechanism (e.g., a bolt or a screw) via a corresponding clearance hole (e.g., clearance holes  1420  and/or  1920  of  FIGS. 14 and 19 , respectively) of a thermal shield section to facilitate coupling adjacent sections of a thermal shield. 
     As shown by  FIGS. 9-13 , the plurality of clearance holes  910  can be positioned on opposing sides of longitudinal axis  1010  to facilitate coupling the adjacent sections of the thermal shield on opposing sides of metal strip  905 . By coupling the adjacent sections of the thermal shield on opposing sides of metal strip  905 , metal strip  905  can overlay a seam intervening between the adjacent sections. In doing so, metal strip  905  can facilitate minimizing the radiation of energy from a higher temperature thermal stage (e.g., a 4-K stage) of a cryostat to a lower temperature thermal stage (e.g., a Still stage) of the cryostat. 
     In an embodiment, a thermal shield (e.g., thermal shields  210  and/or  410 ) can be a metal cylinder with open ends. In this embodiment, the thermal shield can comprise a circumference in which each section can be curved to provide an arc of the circumference. Minimizing gaps between metal strip  905  and such curved sections can involve transitioning metal strip  905  from the flat state shown by  FIGS. 10-11  to the folded state shown by  FIGS. 12-13 . Transitioning metal strip  905  from the flat state to the folded state can be implemented by bending metal strip  905  about longitudinal axis  1010 . Bending metal strip  905  about longitudinal axis  1010  can impart a bend radius  1310  on metal strip  905  by reducing a width of metal strip  905  from width  1020  to width  1210 . Imparting the bend radius  1310  on metal strip  905  can have a minimal impact on a height of metal strip  905  as a height  1110  of metal strip  905  in the flat state can be substantially equal to a height  1220  of metal strip  905  in the folded state. 
       FIGS. 14-18  illustrate example, non-limiting views of a thermal shield section (or section)  1405 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. In particular,  FIG. 14  illustrates an isometric view  1400  of section  1405 .  FIGS. 15-16  illustrate an orthogonal view  1500  and a side view  1600  of section  1405  in a flat state, respectively.  FIGS. 17-18  illustrate an orthogonal view  1700  and a top view  1800  of section  1405  in a folded state, respectively. With reference to  FIGS. 14-18 , section  1405  can comprise a plurality of clearance holes  1410  positioned along a top edge  1411  of section  1405 , a plurality of clearance holes  1420  positioned along each side edge  1421  of section  1405 , and a plurality of clearance holes  1430  positioned along a bottom edge  1431  of section  1405 . 
     Each clearance hole among the plurality of clearance holes  1410  can receive an attachment mechanism (e.g., a bolt or a screw) to mechanically anchor section  1405  to a thermal stage (e.g., stages  141  or  143  of  FIGS. 1-3 ). Mechanically anchoring section  1405  to the thermal stage can facilitate thermally coupling section  1405  with the thermal stage. Each clearance hole among the plurality of clearance holes  1420  can receive an attachment mechanism (e.g., a bolt or a screw) via a corresponding clearance hole (e.g., clearance holes  910  of  FIG. 9 ) of a metal strip to facilitate coupling section  1405  to the metal strip. Each clearance hole among the plurality of clearance holes  1430  can receive an attachment mechanism (e.g., a bolt or a screw) to mechanically couple section  1405  to a flexible structure (e.g., flexible structure  630  of  FIGS. 6-8 ) intervening between section  1405  and a base structure (e.g., base structures  160  or  170  of  FIG. 1 ). Mechanically coupling section  1405  to the flexible structure can facilitate thermally coupling section  1405  with the base structure while facilitating vertical movement of section  1405  with respect to the base structure. 
     In an embodiment, a thermal shield (e.g., thermal shields  210  and/or  410 ) comprising section  1405  can be a metal cylinder with open ends. In an embodiment, one open end of the metal cylinder can circumscribe an outer wall of the thermal stage when the thermal shield is mechanically anchored to the thermal stage. In an embodiment, the thermal shield can comprise a circumference in which each section can be curved to provide an arc of the circumference. Minimizing gaps between section  1405  and the outer wall of the thermal stage can involve transitioning section  1405  from the flat state shown by  FIGS. 15-16  to the folded state shown by  FIGS. 17-18 . Transitioning section  1405  from the flat state to the folded state can be implemented by bending section  1405  about longitudinal axis  1510 . Bending section  1405  about longitudinal axis  1510  can impart a bend radius  1810  on section  1405  by reducing a width of section  1405  from width  1520  to width  1710 . Imparting the bend radius  1810  on section  1405  can have a minimal impact on a height of section  1405  as a height  1610  of section  1405  in the flat state can be substantially equal to a height  1720  of section  1405  in the folded state. 
       FIGS. 19-23  illustrate example, non-limiting views of another thermal shield section (or section)  1905 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. In particular,  FIG. 19  illustrates an isometric view  1900  of section  1905 .  FIGS. 20-21  illustrate an orthogonal view  2000  and a side view  2100  of section  1905  in a flat state, respectively.  FIGS. 22-23  illustrate an orthogonal view  2200  and a top view  2300  of section  1905  in a folded state, respectively. With reference to  FIGS. 19-23 , section  1905  can comprise a plurality of clearance holes  1910  positioned along a top edge  1911  of section  1905 , a plurality of clearance holes  1920  positioned along each side edge  1921  of section  1905 , and a plurality of clearance holes  1930  positioned along a bottom edge  1931  of section  1905 . 
     Each clearance hole among the plurality of clearance holes  1910  can receive an attachment mechanism (e.g., a bolt or a screw) to mechanically anchor section  1905  to a thermal stage (e.g., stages  141  or  143  of  FIGS. 1-3 ). Mechanically anchoring section  1905  to the thermal stage can facilitate thermally coupling section  1905  with the thermal stage. Each clearance hole among the plurality of clearance holes  1920  can receive an attachment mechanism (e.g., a bolt or a screw) via a corresponding clearance hole (e.g., clearance holes  910  of  FIG. 9 ) of a metal strip to facilitate coupling section  1905  to the metal strip. Each clearance hole among the plurality of clearance holes  1930  can receive an attachment mechanism (e.g., a bolt or a screw) to mechanically couple section  1905  to a flexible structure (e.g., flexible structure  630  of  FIGS. 6-8 ) intervening between section  1905  and a base structure (e.g., base structures  160  or  170  of  FIG. 1 ). Mechanically coupling section  1905  to the flexible structure can facilitate thermally coupling section  1905  with the base structure while facilitating vertical movement of section  1905  with respect to the base structure. 
     In an embodiment, a thermal shield (e.g., thermal shields  210  and/or  410 ) comprising section  1905  can be a metal cylinder with open ends. In an embodiment, one open end of the metal cylinder can circumscribe an outer wall of the thermal stage when the thermal shield is mechanically anchored to the thermal stage. In an embodiment, the thermal shield can comprise a circumference in which each section can be curved to provide an arc of the circumference. Minimizing gaps between section  1905  and the outer wall of the thermal stage can involve transitioning section  1905  from the flat state shown by  FIGS. 20-21  to the folded state shown by  FIGS. 22-23 . Transitioning section  1905  from the flat state to the folded state can be implemented by bending section  1905  about longitudinal axis  2010 . Bending section  1905  about longitudinal axis  2010  can impart a bend radius  2310  on section  1905  by reducing a width of section  1905  from width  2020  to width  2210 . Imparting the bend radius  2310  on section  1905  can have a minimal impact on a height of section  1905  as a height  2110  of section  1905  in the flat state can be substantially equal to a height  2220  of section  1905  in the folded state. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may be a system, a method, and/or an apparatus at any possible technical detail level of integration. What has been described above includes mere examples of systems, methods, and apparatus. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or computer-implemented methods for purposes of describing this disclosure, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further combinations and permutations of this disclosure are possible. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “possesses,” and the like are used in the detailed description, claims, appendices and drawings such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 
     In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in the subject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. As used herein, the terms “example” and/or “exemplary” are utilized to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as an “example” and/or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The descriptions of the various embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein. 
     While certain example embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope the disclosures herein. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosures herein. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of certain of the disclosures herein.