Patent Publication Number: US-2022221106-A1

Title: Low thermal conductivity support system for cryogenic environments

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The subject disclosure relates to cryogenic environments, and more specifically, to techniques of facilitating low thermal conductivity support systems within 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 five thermal stages that are mechanically coupled to a room temperature plate of an outer vacuum chamber that encloses the five thermal stages. The five thermal stages of a cryostat comprise a thermal profile in which each subsequent thermal stage has a progressively lower temperature than exists at a preceding thermal stage. 
     Cryostats generally implement support systems that utilize support rods to mechanically couple the thermal stages to the room temperature plate of the outer vacuum chamber and to maintain spatial isolation between adjacent thermal stages. Such support rods can provide a thermal conductivity path that facilitates the propagation of heat from higher temperature thermal stages to lower temperature thermal stages. Various techniques exist break that thermal conductivity path to mitigate the propagation of heat from higher temperature thermal stages to lower temperature thermal stages. For example, some techniques involve introducing holes into a support rod to break a thermal conductivity path provided by the support rod. While such techniques can facilitate mitigating the propagation of heat from higher temperature thermal stages to lower temperature thermal stages, introducing holes into a support rod can reduce a load bearing capacity of the support rod. Accordingly, such techniques may restrict scalability of cryostats. 
     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 low thermal conductivity support systems within cryogenic environments are described. 
     According to an embodiment, a cryostat can comprise a cryostat can comprise a support rod and a washer. The support rod can couple first and second thermal stages of the cryostat. The washer can intervene between the support rod and the first thermal stage. The washer can thermally isolate the support rod and the first thermal stage. One aspect of such a cryostat is that the cryostat can facilitate low thermal conductivity support systems within cryogenic environments. 
     In an embodiment, a threaded internal wall of the support rod can receive a threaded shaft of an attachment mechanism via the second thermal stage to couple the support rod to the second thermal stage. In an embodiment, a polyimide sleeve can intervene between the threaded shaft of the attachment mechanism and the threaded internal wall of the support rod. One aspect of such a cryostat is that the cryostat can facilitate maintaining an integrity of a coupling between the support rod and the second thermal stage by ensuring the attachment mechanism remains centered within the threaded internal wall of the support rod. 
     According to another embodiment, a cryostat support system can comprise a tension support rod and a washer. The tension support rod can couple first and second thermal stages of a cryostat. The first and second thermal stages can be coupled to a top plate of an outer vacuum chamber. The washer can intervene between the tension support rod and the second thermal stage. The washer can thermally isolate the tension support rod and the second thermal stage. One aspect of such a cryostat support system is that the system can facilitate low thermal conductivity support systems within cryogenic environments. 
     In an embodiment, the washer can comprise a first footprint and can be received in a recess formed in the second thermal stage that reduces a thickness of the second thermal stage within a second footprint of the recess that is larger than the first footprint. One aspect of such a cryostat support system is that the system can facilitate preserving a structural integrity of the tension support rod as the geometries of second thermal stage vary due to thermal expansion/contraction. 
     According to another embodiment, a cryostat support system can comprise a compression support rod and a washer. The compression support rod can couple first and second thermal stages of a cryostat. The first and second thermal stages can be coupled to a bottom plate of an outer vacuum chamber. The washer can intervene between the compression support rod and the first thermal stage. The washer can thermally isolate the compression support rod and the first thermal stage. One aspect of such a cryostat support system is that the system can facilitate low thermal conductivity support systems within cryogenic environments. 
     In an embodiment, the compression support rod transfers at least a subset of a mechanical load incident on the second thermal stage to the bottom plate. One aspect of such a cryostat support system is that the system can facilitate managing weight/load distribution within a cryostat. 
    
    
     
       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 close-up view depicting a support rod of the cryostat of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another example, non-limiting close-up view depicting the support rod of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example, non-limiting close-up view depicting an attachment mechanism coupling the support rod of  FIG. 2  to one thermal stage among the adjacent thermal stages, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example, non-limiting close-up view depicting another attachment mechanism coupling the support rod of  FIG. 2  to the other thermal stage among the adjacent thermal stages, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example, non-limiting close-up view depicting a washer thermally isolating the support rod of  FIG. 2  from the other thermal stage, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example, non-limiting isometric view depicting a base section of the support rod of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example, non-limiting orthogonal view depicting the base section of  FIG. 7 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example, non-limiting side cross-sectional view of the base section of  FIG. 7 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an example, non-limiting isometric view depicting a shank section of the support rod of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example, non-limiting side cross-sectional view of the shank section of  FIG. 10 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an example, non-limiting orthogonal view depicting the shank section of  FIG. 10 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an example, non-limiting cross-sectional view of the shank section of  FIG. 10  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 12 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an example, non-limiting isometric view depicting another shank section, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an example, non-limiting side cross-sectional view of the shank section of  FIG. 14 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an example, non-limiting cross-sectional view of the shank section of  FIG. 14  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 15 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an example, non-limiting isometric view depicting a base-stage washer, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an example, non-limiting orthogonal view depicting the base-stage washer of  FIG. 17 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates an example, non-limiting side view of the base-stage washer of  FIG. 17 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an example, non-limiting isometric view depicting a shank washer, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates an example, non-limiting orthogonal view depicting the shank washer of  FIG. 20 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates an example, non-limiting side view of the shank washer of  FIG. 20 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 23  illustrates an example, non-limiting isometric view depicting a base-attachment washer, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 24  illustrates an example, non-limiting orthogonal view depicting the base-attachment washer of  FIG. 23 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 25  illustrates an example, non-limiting side view of the base-attachment washer of  FIG. 23 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 26  illustrates an example, non-limiting orthogonal view of a recess formed in a thermal stage of a cryostat, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 27  illustrates an example, non-limiting side view of the recess of  FIG. 26 , 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 ). Some support rods can include multiple sections. For example, support rod  150  includes sections  152 ,  154 ,  156 , and  158 . Section  152  of support rod  150  couples stage  141  to top plate  114  of outer vacuum chamber  110 , section  154  couples stage  141  to stage  143 , section  156  couples stage  143  to stage  145 , and section  158  couples stage  145  to stage  147 . In an embodiment, support rods  142 ,  144 , and/or  150  can comprise stainless steel. In an embodiment, support rod  150  can transfer, at least, a subset of mechanical load incident on stages  141 ,  143 ,  145 , and/or  147  to top plate  114  of outer vacuum chamber  110 . For example, section  158  can transfer, at least, a subset of mechanical load incident on stage  147  to top plate  114  via sections  156 ,  154 , and  152 . By transferring, at least, a subset of mechanical load incident on stages  141 ,  143 ,  145 , and/or  147  to top plate  114  of outer vacuum chamber  110 , support rod  150  can facilitate managing weight/load distribution within cryostat  100 . Gravity acting upon a mass of the plurality of stages  140  can induce a tension force on support rods (e.g., support rod  142 ) coupling the plurality of stages  140  to top plate  114  or support rods (e.g., support rods  144  and/or  150 ) spatially isolating those stages  140 . Such support rods can be referred to as tension support rods. 
     As shown by  FIG. 1 , cryostat  100  can further comprise one or more plates coupled to bottom plate  116  of outer vacuum chamber  110 . For example, cryostat  100  can further comprise a thermal plate (or plate)  160  that can facilitate mechanically supporting a thermal shield associated with stage  141 . As another example, cryostat  100  can further comprise a plate  170  that can facilitate mechanically supporting a thermal shield associated with stage  143 . One or more support rods (e.g., support rod  162 ) can couple plates  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 ). 
     As discussed above, some support rods can include multiple sections. For example, support rod  180  includes sections  182  and  184 . Section  182  of support rod  180  couples plate  160  to bottom plate  116  of outer vacuum chamber  110  and section  184  couples plate  160  to plate  170 . In an embodiment, support rods  162 ,  164 , and/or  180  can comprise stainless steel. In an embodiment, support rod  180  can transfer, at least, a subset of mechanical load incident on plates  160  and/or  170  to bottom plate  116  of outer vacuum chamber  110 . For example, section  182  can transfer, at least, a subset of mechanical load incident on plate  170  to bottom plate  116  via section  184 . By transferring, at least, a subset of mechanical load incident on plates  160  and/or  170  to bottom plate  116  of outer vacuum chamber  110 , support rod  180  can facilitate managing weight/load distribution within cryostat  100 . 
     Gravity acting upon a mass of plates  160  and/or  170  can induce a compression force on support rods (e.g., support rod  162 ) coupling plates  160  and/or  170  to bottom plate  116  or support rods (e.g., support rods  164  and/or  180 ) spatially isolating those plates. Such support rods can be referred to as compression support rods. 
     As discussed in greater detail below, a thermal conductivity path between stages of cryostat  100  can be broken using washers comprising material having low thermal conductivity (e.g., a material having a thermal conductivity of less than 1 watt per meter-kelvin (W/mK)). In particular, a washer comprising a low thermal conductivity material (e.g., a polyimide, such as KAPTON or VESPEL that are each available from DuPont de Nemours, Inc., of Wilmington, Del.) can intervene between a support rod and a stage to break a thermal conductivity path between stages of cryostat  100 . In an embodiment, a thermal gradient along a support rod coupling three or more stages can be minimized by thermally coupling the support rod to, at least, one intervening stage within the three or more stages. For example, support rod  150  couples stages  141 ,  143 ,  145 , and  147  to top plate  114  of outer vacuum chamber  110 . In this example, sections  154  and/or  156  of support rod  150  can be thermally coupled to stages  143  and/or  145 . 
       FIGS. 2-5  illustrate example, non-limiting close-up views depicting support rod  142  of cryostat  100  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. With reference to  FIGS. 2-3 , support rod  142  includes multiples sections comprising a base section  230  and a shank section  240 . Base section  230  is described in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 7-9  and shank section  240  is described in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 10-13 . Top plate  114  can receive a plurality of attachment mechanisms  260  via clearance holes (e.g., clearance holes  712  of  FIGS. 7-8 ) of base section  230  that coaxially circumscribe a longitudinal axis (e.g., longitudinal axis  810  of  FIGS. 8-9 ) of base section  230  to couple top plate  114  and base section  230 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 3-4 , a base-stage washer  310  can intervene between an interior side  214  of top plate  114  and base section  230  to facilitate thermally isolating top plate  114  and base section  230 . Base-stage washer  310  is described in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 17-19 .  FIGS. 3-4  also show that a base-attachment washer  320  can intervene between each attachment mechanism  260  and base section  230  to facilitate thermally isolating top plate  114  and base section  230 . Base-attachment washer  320  is described in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 23-25 . 
     An internal threaded wall (e.g., internal threaded wall  740  of  FIGS. 7-9 ) of base section  230  can receive a threaded shaft  242  of shank section  240  to couple base section  230  and shank section  240 . In an embodiment, an internal threaded wall of shank section  240  can receive a threaded shaft of base section  230  to couple base section  230  and shank section  240 . A clearance hole (e.g., clearance hole  750  of  FIG. 7 ) of base section  230  can receive an attachment mechanism  340  to facilitate retention of the threaded shaft  242  of shank section  240  within base section  230 . In an embodiment, attachment mechanism  340  can be omitted. In an embodiment, a polyimide sleeve (not shown) can intervene between the threaded shaft of the attachment mechanism  250  and the threaded internal wall of shank section  240 . The polyimide sleeve can facilitate maintaining an integrity of a coupling between support rod  142  and stage  141  by ensuring that attachment mechanism  250  remains centered within the threaded internal wall of shank section  240 . 
     A threaded internal wall (e.g., threaded internal wall  1012  of  FIGS. 10-13 ) of shank section  240  can receive a threaded shaft (not shown) of an attachment mechanism  250  via stage  141  to couple shank section  240  to stage  141 . As best seen in  FIG. 6 , a shank washer  330  can intervene between a side  241  of stage  141  that faces the interior side  214  of top plate  114  and shank section  240  to facilitate thermally isolating stage  141  and shank section  240 . Shank washer  330  is described in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 17-19 . As best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a shank washer  330  can also intervene between a side  243  of stage  141  that opposes side  241  and attachment mechanism  250  to faciliate thermally isolating stage  141  and attachment mechanism  250 . In an embodiment, positioning shank washers  330  on opposing sides of stage  141  can facilitate reducing a thermal conductivity path between the opposing sides of stage  141 . 
       FIG. 6  shows that the shank washer  330  intervening between the side  241  of stage  141  that faces the interior side  214  of top plate  114  and shank section  240  can be received within a recess  610  formed in stage  141 . Recess  610  reduces a thickness of stage  141  within a footprint of recess  610 . A recess formed in a stage and a footprint of the recess are each discussed in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 26-27 . Recess  610  can comprise a footprint provided by a surface area of stage  141  comprising a reduced thickness to form recess  610 . Shank washer  330  can also comprise a footprint provided by a surface area of shank washer  330  encompassed within an outer wall (e.g., outer wall  2110  of  FIG. 21 ) of shank washer  330 .  FIG. 6  further show that the footprint of recess  610  can be larger than the footprint of shank washer  330  that intervenes between the side  241  of stage  141  and shank section  240 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the shank washer  330  intervening between the side  243  of stage  141  and attachment mechanism  250  can be received within a recess  373  formed in stage  141 . Recess  373  reduces a thickness of stage  141  within a footprint of recess  373 . Recess  373  can comprise a footprint provided by a surface area of stage  141  comprising a reduced thickness to form recess  373 . Shank washer  330  can also comprise a footprint provided by a surface area of shank washer  330  encompassed within an outer wall (e.g., outer wall  2110  of  FIG. 21 ) of shank washer  330 .  FIGS. 3 and 5  further show that the footprint of recess  373  can be larger than the footprint of shank washer  330  that intervenes between the side  243  of stage  141  and attachment mechanism  250 . 
     One skilled in the art will recognize that geometries of stage  141  can vary as a temperature of stage  141  changes due to thermal expansion/contraction. Receiving each shank washer  330  within a recess of stage  141  having a larger footprint than that shank washer  330  can facilitate preserving a structural integrity of support rod  142  as the geometries of stage  141  vary due to thermal expansion/contraction. For example, the larger footprint of recess  610  can facilitate movement of support rod  142  within recess  610  responsive to such variations in geometry of stage  141  to mitigate structural failure of support rod  142 . As another example, the larger footprint of recess  373  can also facilitate movement of support rod  142  within recess  610  responsive to such variations in geometry of stage  141  to mitigate structural failure of support rod  142 . 
       FIGS. 7-9  illustrate example, non-limiting views of base section  230 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. In particular,  FIGS. 7-9  illustrate an isometric view  700 , an orthogonal view  800 , and a cross-sectional view  900  of base section  230 , respectively. With reference to  FIGS. 7-9 , base section  230  can comprise a base plate  710  and a tapered end  720  that opposes base plate  710 . Base section  230  can further comprise a channel  730  extending along a longitudinal axis  810  of base section  230 . Channel  730  can be defined by a threaded internal wall  740  of base section  230 . Base plate  710  comprises a plurality of clearance holes  712  coaxially circumscribing longitudinal axis  810 . A plate (e.g., top plate  114  and/or bottom plate  116  of  FIG. 1 ) of an outer vacuum chamber, a stage (e.g., stages  141 - 149 ) of a cryostat, or a plate (e.g., plates  160  and  170 ) of a cryostat can receive an attachment mechanism (e.g., attachment mechanisms  260  of  FIGS. 2-4 ) via each clearance hole  712  to couple base section  230  to that plate and/or stage. Tapered end  720  can comprise a clearance hole  750  that can faciliate retention of a threaded shaft (e.g., threaded shaft  242  and/or  1420 ) of a shank section within base section  230 . 
       FIGS. 10-13  illustrate example, non-limiting views of shank section  240 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. In particular,  FIGS. 10-12  illustrate an isometric view  1000 , a cross-sectional view  1100 , and an orthogonal view  1200  of shank section  240 , respectively.  FIG. 13  illustrates a cross-sectional view  1300  of shank section  240  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 12 . With reference to  FIGS. 10-13 , shank section  240  can comprise a body  1010  and a threaded shaft  242  disposed along a centerline  1110  of shank section  240 . Body  1010  can comprise a channel  1040  extending along the centerline  1110  of shank section  240 . Channel  1040  can be defined by a threaded internal wall  1012  of shank section  240 . The threaded internal wall  1012  of shank section  240  can receive a threaded shaft of an attachment mechanism (e.g., attachment mechanism  250 ) via a plate (e.g., top plate  114  and/or bottom plate  116  of  FIG. 1 ) of an outer vacuum chamber, a stage (e.g., stages  141 - 149 ) of a cryostat, or a plate (e.g., plates  160  and  170 ) of a cryostat to couple shank section  240  to that plate and/or stage. An internal threaded wall (e.g., internal threaded wall  740 ) of a base section can receive the threaded shaft  242  of shank section  240  to couple shank section  240  to the base section. Body  1010  can further comprise a tool interface  1030  to facilitate installation and/or removal of shank section  240 . 
       FIGS. 14-16  illustrate example, non-limiting views of a shank section  1405 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. In particular,  FIGS. 14-15  illustrate an isometric view  1400  and a side cross-sectional view  1500  of shank section  1405 , respectively.  FIG. 16  illustrates a cross-sectional view  1600  of shank section  1405  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 15 . With reference to  FIGS. 14-16 , shank section  1405  can comprise a body  1410  and a threaded shaft  1420  disposed along a centerline  1510  of shank section  1405 . Body  1410  can comprise a channel  1440  extending along the centerline  1510  of shank section  1405 . Channel  1440  can be defined by a threaded internal wall  1412  of shank section  1405 . The threaded internal wall  1412  of shank section  1405  can receive a threaded shaft of an attachment mechanism (e.g., attachment mechanism  250 ) via a plate (e.g., top plate  114  and/or bottom plate  116  of  FIG. 1 ) of an outer vacuum chamber, a stage (e.g., stages  141 - 149 ) of a cryostat, or a plate (e.g., plates  160  and  170 ) of a cryostat to couple shank section  1405  to that plate and/or stage. An internal threaded wall (e.g., internal threaded wall  740 ) of a base section can receive the threaded shaft  1420  of shank section  1405  to couple shank section  1405  to the base section. Body  1410  can further comprise a tool interface  1430  to facilitate installation and/or removal of shank section  1405 . 
     A comparison between shank sections  240  and  1405  illustrates that a number of variations can be made to a shank section to accommodate different cryostat configurations (e.g., spacing between adjacent stages). For example, shank section  240  comprises a length (defined by a length  1014  of body  1010  and a length  1024  of threaded shaft  242 ) that is less than a length (defined by a length  1414  of body  1410  and a length  1424  of threaded shaft  1420 ) of shank section  1405 . In this example, shank section  240  can facilitate coupling adjacent stages and/or plates of a cryostat that are relatively closely spaced whereas shank section  1405  can facilitate coupling adjacent stages and/or plates of the cryostat that are relatively distantly spaced. As another example, shank section  1405  comprises a ratio between the length  1414  of body  1410  and the length  1424  of threaded shaft  1420  that is larger than a comparable ratio of shank section  240 . This distinction illustrates that a ratio between a length of a body and a length of a threaded shaft can be varied for a shank section to accommodate different load bearing requirements. 
     As another example, channel  1040  extends within the body  1010  of shank section  240  by a length  1120  that positions channel  1040  within tool interface  1030 . In contrast, channel  1440  extends within the body  1410  of shank section  1405  by a length  1520  that positions channel  1440  external to tool interface  1430 . A comparison between  FIGS. 13 and 16  shows that tool interface  1430  of shank section  1405  remains solid whereas some material comprising body  1010  of shank section  240  has been removed within tool interface  1030 . As such, a greater amount of torque can be applied to tool interface  1430  of shank section  1405  than can be applied to tool interface  1030  of shank section  240 . This distinction illustrates that a length of a channel within a shank section can be varied to accommodate different torque requirements. 
       FIGS. 17-19  illustrate example, non-limiting views of base-stage washer  310 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. In particular,  FIGS. 17-19  illustrate an isometric view  1700 , an orthogonal view  1800 , and a side view  1900  of base-stage washer  310 , respectively. With reference to  FIGS. 17-19 , base-stage washer  310  can comprise a plurality of openings  1710  that each align with a respective clearance hole (e.g., clearance holes  710 ) of a base plate. In an embodiment, base-stage washer  310  can comprise material having low thermal conductivity (e.g., a material having a thermal conductivity of less than 1 watt per meter-kelvin (W/mK)). In an embodiment, base-stage washer  310  can comprise polyimide (e.g., KAPTON or VESPEL). 
       FIGS. 20-22  illustrate example, non-limiting views of shank washer  330 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. In particular,  FIGS. 20-22  illustrate an isometric view  2000 , an orthogonal view  2100 , and a side view  2200  of shank washer  330 , respectively. With reference to  FIGS. 20-22 , shank washer  330  can comprise an outer wall  2110  and an inner wall  2120  that each circumscribe a centerline  2140  of shank washer  330 . The outer wall  2110  can encompass a surface area that provides a footprint of shank washer  330 . The inner wall  2120  can define an opening with a diameter  2130  that can receive threaded shaft of an attachment mechanism (e.g., attachment mechanism  250 ) that facilitates coupling a shank section of a support rod to a stage and/or plate of a cryostat. In an embodiment, shank washer  330  can comprise material having low thermal conductivity (e.g., a material having a thermal conductivity of less than 1 watt per meter-kelvin (W/mK)). In an embodiment, shank washer  330  can comprise polyimide (e.g., KAPTON or VESPEL). 
       FIGS. 23-25  illustrate example, non-limiting views of base-attachment washer  320 , in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. In particular,  FIGS. 23-25  illustrate an isometric view  2300 , an orthogonal view  2400 , and a side view  2500  of base-attachment washer  320 , respectively. With reference to  FIGS. 23-25 , base-attachment washer  320  can comprise an outer wall  2410  and an inner wall  2420  that each circumscribe a centerline  2440  of base-attachment washer  320 . The outer wall  2410  can encompass a surface area that provides a footprint of base-attachment washer  320 . The inner wall  2420  can define an opening with a diameter  2430  that can receive threaded shaft of an attachment mechanism (e.g., attachment mechanism  260 ) that facilitates coupling a base section of a support rod to a stage and/or plate of a cryostat. In an embodiment, base-attachment washer  320  can comprise material having low thermal conductivity (e.g., a material having a thermal conductivity of less than 1 watt per meter-kelvin (W/mK)). In an embodiment, base-attachment washer  320  can comprise polyimide (e.g., KAPTON or VESPEL). 
       FIGS. 26-27  illustrate example, non-limiting views of a recess  2640  formed in a stage  2605  (or plate) of a cryostat, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. In particular,  FIGS. 26-27  illustrate an isometric view  2600  and a side view  2700  of the recess  2640  formed in the stage  2605 , respectively. With reference to  FIGS. 26-27 , stage  2605  can comprise an outer wall  2620  that circumscribes a centerline  2650  of stage  2605 . As shown by  FIGS. 26-27 , a recess  2640  can be formed in stage  2605  that reduces a thickness of stage  2605  within a footprint  2630  of the recess  2640 . For example, stage  2605  can comprise a thickness  2625  in a surface area  2610  external to recess  2640  that is greater than a thickness  2645  of stage  2605  within recess  2640 . 
     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.