Speaker
Description
The dilution refrigerator is a low temperature workhorse, used worldwide to provide temperatures in the millikelvin range for devices ranging from quantum computers through to dark matter detectors. Since its inception more than 50 years ago, the mechanism by which refrigeration occurs has been well understood. However, until this point, the only visual representations of this process were illustrations in reference textbooks.
Likewise, neutron radiography has been in existence since last century, and is widely used by both science and industry to investigate material properties at facilities such as the ISIS Neutron & Muon Source. The current state-of-the-art imaging instrument at our facility, IMAT, provides neutron radiography, neutron tomography and energy-resolved neutron imaging.
In this work we combine dilution refrigeration and neutron imaging to showcase a new capability for the field of low temperature physics. Previous work has proved the potential for discerning 3He from 4He using neutrons, here we take the next step by imaging an entire dilution refrigerator during operation.
Our setup allows the capture of high-quality images and videos showing condensation of fridge mixture, 3He/4He phase separation, and ‘single shot’ diagnostic procedures. In addition, it is possible to demonstrate the changing concentration of 3He in the mixing chamber. We expect this work to have a wide-ranging impact for educators, technicians, and dilution refrigerator engineers.
| Submitters Country | United Kingdom |
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