Dilution refrigerator with continuous flow helium liquefier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryogenic refrigeration systems for quantum computers face challenges in scaling cooling capacity as the number of qubits increases, with pulse tube cryocoolers not easily scalable and requiring additional space and power, while existing solutions do not efficiently provide the necessary cooling power for larger systems.
Innovation Solution
A dilution refrigerator system incorporating a continuous flow helium liquefier with a recuperative thermodynamic cycle, which provides primary cooling to flanges and can be scaled up to provide higher cooling power with reduced capital and electrical costs, potentially replacing or supplementing pulse tube cryocoolers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If pulse tube cryocoolers are used to provide cooling power, then cooling capacity is maintained, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pulse tube cryocooler component from the dilution refrigerator system and replaces it with a continuous flow helium liquefier. This removal of the pulse tube component simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining the necessary cooling power through the alternative liquefier mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pulse tube cryocooler system with a continuous flow helium liquefier that uses a different thermodynamic approach. This substitution eliminates the mechanical complexity of pulse tubes while achieving the same cooling function through continuous helium circulation and phase change.
2Power
If pulse tube cryocoolers are used to provide cooling power, then cooling capacity is maintained, but space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the space-consuming pulse tube cryocooler components from the system and replaces them with a more compact continuous flow helium liquefier configuration that achieves the same cooling power in a reduced footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the continuous flow helium liquefier components within the existing dilution refrigerator structure, nesting the liquefier elements within available spaces to minimize overall system footprint while maintaining cooling functionality.
3Productivity
If the number of qubits is increased to achieve quantum advantage, then computational power is improved, but cooling capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the helium flow parameters and thermodynamic cycle parameters in the continuous flow liquefier to optimize cooling capacity for scaled quantum systems. By adjusting flow rates, pressure differentials, and heat exchanger efficiency parameters, the system can provide increased cooling power to support larger qubit arrays.
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
The continuous flow helium liquefier offers higher cooling power compared to pulse tube cryocoolers, enabling efficient cooling of quantum computing systems with reduced space and power consumption, effectively addressing the scaling challenges of cryogenic refrigeration for quantum computers.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor
Implementation Method 2
at least one heat exchanger between the compressor and the expander
Implementation Method 3
an expander downstream from the compressor
Implementation Method 4
a liquid helium reservoir downstream from the expander and providing liquid helium to the lowest temperature flange
Implementation Method 5
in heat transfer communication with a lowest temperature flange to provide primary cooling thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A dilution refrigerator, such as for a quantum computing system, includes a cryostat having a plurality of temperature-controlled flanges inside a vacuum chamber. A dilution unit is disposed inside the cryostat and operable to cool a first group of the flanges. A continuous flow helium refrigerator is in heat transfer communication with a lowest temperature flange of a second group of flanges, disposed at progressively lower temperatures that are greater than those of the first group of flanges, to provide primary cooling thereto to a first temperature. The continuous flow helium refrigerator resides at least partially in the cryostat and includes a helium liquefier and a first closed-loop circuit thermally coupling the helium liquefier to the lowest temperature flange of the second group of flanges. The helium liquefier provides liquid helium to the lowest temperature flange of the second group of flanges via the first closed-loop circuit.