Cryogenic testing at the Central Cryogenic Laboratory

by G. Vandoni (LHC Division)

Thursday 11 Apr 2002, 14:15 → 15:15 Europe/Zurich

LHC Auditorium (CERN)

The Central Cryogenic Laboratory (Cryolab) provides CERN-wide support for small-scale cryogenics up to the size of an LHC dipole. With more than 30 projects running every year, the Cryolab plays a significant role in cryogenic R&D, prototype testing and production follow-up. Thanks to the acquired experience with the diversity of the problems presented by the users, the Cryolab gives assistance in finding the appropriate measuring methods and help for the comprehension of thermal phenomena at low temperature. Calculation, bibliography, and facilities for material measurements support the tests. To illustrate this diversity, we analyze a few recent LHC-related projects, such as the assessment of the thermal performance of multi-layer insulation for the HC cryostats, the evaluation of low temperature material properties during development and production follow-up, and the measurements of the Kapitza impedance and how to exploit this effect to size heat losses at superfluid helium temperature.