A cryostat socket for holding an ion trap device mounted on a substrate in a cryostat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ion trap devices in cryostats face challenges in easy and precise mounting, especially in closed-cycle cryostats where mounting from below is difficult, and require good thermal contact and optical access while allowing quick device exchange.

Innovation Solution

A cryostat socket with a housing frame and spring pin insert that exerts a compressive force on the substrate through a housing cover, providing reliable electrical contact and thermal management, while allowing easy access and quick device exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ion trap device is mounted from below in a closed-cycle cryostat, then the mounting can be performed, but the mounting and replacing process becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of mountingVSAvoidmounting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional mounting approach by providing access to the ion trap device from above rather than from below. The housing cover is removable to allow placement of the ion trap device onto the substrate from the top side, which is the opposite of traditional bottom-up mounting methods in cryostats. This inversion simplifies the mounting and replacement process while maintaining secure electrical and thermal connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the housing cover is made rigid to provide stable mounting, then mechanical stability is improved, but stress on the substrate and ion trap device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidstress on substrate
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The housing cover incorporates elastomeric material that allows it to deform elastically under compression. This parameter change from rigid to flexible material enables the housing cover to absorb mounting stresses through elastic deformation rather than transmitting them to the substrate and ion trap device, while still maintaining stable mechanical support and electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the contact pins are made resilient to accommodate substrate variations, then ease of contact is improved, but contact reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of electrical contactVSAvoidelectrical contact reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact pins are made resilient with the ability to deflect elastically. This parameter change allows the contact pins to adapt to variations in substrate position and thickness while maintaining reliable electrical contact. The elastic resilience enables the pins to absorb misalignment tolerances without compromising contact reliability, and the elastomeric housing cover transmits compressive forces to ensure consistent contact pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates easy and precise mounting of ion trap devices in cryostats with good thermal contact and optical access, enabling quick and stress-decoupled device exchange without disrupting electrical connections.

Implementation Method 1

contact pins resiliently received in the base plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the cryostat socket should allow good thermal contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4187593B1A cryostat socket for holding an ion trap device mounted on a substrate in a cryostat
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 INFINEON TECH AUSTRIA AG
  • EP4187593B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4187593B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4187593B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A cryostat socket for holding an ion trap device mounted on a substrate in a cryostat includes a housing frame provided for pre-assembly in the cryostat. A spring pin insert is arranged in the housing frame. The spring pin insert comprises a base plate and contact pins resiliently received in the base plate. The contact pins are arranged in an array. A housing cover has a receptacle for the substrate, wherein the housing cover, when assembled with the housing frame, exerts a compressive force on the front side of the substrate by which the rear side of the substrate is pressed onto the contact pins.