Cryogenic Thermal Interface for Vacuum-Separated Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryogenic apparatuses face challenges in maintaining high vacuum quality while providing low temperatures within a vacuum chamber, as they often require time-consuming processes that involve heating components to high temperatures, which can damage cryogenic equipment.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic apparatus with a thermal interface that allows connection to an external vacuum chamber without breaching the vacuum, enabling independent vacuum maintenance and temperature control within the chamber, using a cooling arrangement and thermal interfaces made of high conductivity materials to cool objects to various temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vacuum chamber is heated to high temperatures (above 100°C) to accelerate gas desorption and achieve high vacuum quality, then the vacuum quality is improved, but the cryogenic components cannot tolerate the high temperatures for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate vacuum chambers: a first vacuum chamber that can be heated for baking without damaging components, and a second vacuum chamber that remains at lower temperatures for cryogenic operation. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific temperature range and function, resolving the contradiction between achieving high vacuum quality through heating and protecting cryogenic components from thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal interface arrangement acts as an intermediary between the first and second vacuum chambers. This interface includes a first thermal interface in the first vacuum chamber and a second thermal interface in the second vacuum chamber, connected through a vacuum barrier. The intermediary structure allows thermal coupling for cooling while maintaining vacuum separation, enabling the first chamber to be heated independently without affecting the temperature-sensitive components in the second chamber.
2Temperature
If the vacuum chamber is connected to the cryostat after baking to protect components from high temperatures, then the cryogenic components are protected, but the vacuum connection process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum chamber is designed with a pre-configured thermal interface arrangement that includes both a first thermal interface in the vacuum chamber and a second thermal interface in the cryostat. The vacuum barrier and connection pathways are prepared in advance, allowing the chamber to be baked and connected to the cryostat without breaking vacuum. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for time-consuming vacuum breaking and re-establishment during the connection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic vacuum barrier arrangements that can be opened or closed as needed. The vacuum barrier includes a first barrier and a second barrier that can be selectively positioned to allow or prevent vacuum coupling between chambers. This dynamic control enables flexible connection and disconnection of the vacuum chambers while maintaining vacuum integrity, reducing the time and complexity of vacuum connection operations.
3Temperature
If a thermal interface is provided inside the vacuum chamber to cool objects, then temperature control is achieved, but the vacuum integrity may be compromised and operation efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal interface arrangement serves as an intermediary structure that provides cooling capability while preserving vacuum integrity. The arrangement includes a first thermal interface in the vacuum chamber and a second thermal interface in the cryostat, connected through a vacuum barrier. This intermediary design allows thermal energy to be transferred from the cryostat to objects in the vacuum chamber without requiring physical penetration of the vacuum seal, thus maintaining vacuum integrity while achieving effective temperature control.
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
This solution enhances the operational efficiency of the cryogenic apparatus by allowing remote preparation of external vacuum chambers and reducing the risk of damaging cryogenic components, while maintaining high vacuum quality and enabling flexible temperature control for objects like ion traps or samples.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal interface arrangement at (e.g., at an outside of) the vacuum chamber and configured to be cooled by the cooling arrangement
Implementation Method 2
Another technique is to pump down and cool the vessel or parts of the vessel to temperatures below 70K to increase the adsorption of gases on cold surfaces and thus increase the vacuum quality
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a cryogenic apparatus. The cryogenic apparatus includes a vacuum chamber; a cooling arrangement in the vacuum chamber; and a thermal interface arrangement at the vacuum chamber and configured to be cooled by the cooling arrangement.