IRLabs provides customizable cryocoolers to meet the most demanding specifications and solve the most challenging problems in laboratories, observatories, and other facilities that depend on cryogenic cooling. Cryogen free cryostats and closed cycle cryocoolers from IRLabs provide 300 K to 0.3 K cooling. Our reputation in the field of low temperature physics is recognized around the globe.

Our mechanical refrigerators use the latest technology in Gifford-McMahon and Pulse Tube coolers and low-vibration coupling to ensure your instruments will reach operating temperature without being subjected to the vibrations associated with closed cycle coolers. Our Helium 3 closed cycle cryocooler is a unique instrument capable of cooling sensitive IR and mm Wave bolometers to 300 mK. All of our cryocoolers refrigerators are highly customizable.

Hybrid System

Gifford-McMahon (GM)
Refrigerators

Continuous uninterrupted operation as low as <3 K

GM closed cycle refrigeration systems are used when low temperatures are needed with a large heat load present.  These systems are typically larger and used for cooling optics plates, systems with large windows and systems that have electronics that dissipate large heat loads.  

Compared to Pulse Tube refrigerator systems GM systems are less expensive, cool larger heat loads, can be operated in any orientation but typically transmit more vibration to the cold work surface (on the order of 10-20 microns).  For this reason, we design our GM systems with bellows interfaces and other vibration dampening components.  

GM cryostats have radiation shields that are typically cooled to 50 K by the first stage of the refrigerator and the cold work surface is cooled to levels as low as 3 K  by the second. 

Applications:

  • Astronomical cameras
  • Cryogenic optics benches
  • Electronics/detector cooling

 Features:

  • Operating temperature range: as low as 3 K
  • Closed cycle operation 
  •  Unrestricted hold time 
  • Does not require LN2 or LHe 
  • Vibration isolation system 
  • Optional dewar carts with 360 degree rotation and support up to 1000 lbs. 
  • Highly customizable configuration 
Hybrid System

Pulse Tube
Refrigerators

Very low vibration continuous uninterrupted operation as low as 4 K

Pulse Tube Refrigerator systems are used when very low vibration is needed.  Like GM systems, Pulse Tubes are large refrigerators capable of cooling high heat loads although typically not as high as their GM counterparts. 

Pulse Tubes are used in similar applications such as cooling optics plates and detectors and should be considered when vibration at the cold plate must be kept at an absolute minimum.  Displacement at the cold plate can be limited to 1 micron or less.  The drawbacks of selecting a Pulse Tube are that they can only be efficiently operated vertical position and they are more costly compared to GM.    

Applications:

  • Cryogenic optics benches
  • Electronics/detector cooling
  • Specialize applications such as gravitational waves and dark energy science 

 Features:

  • Ultra-Low Vibration
  • Operating temperature range: as low as 4 K 
  • Closed cycle operation 
  • Unrestricted hold time 
  • Does not require LN2 or LHe 
  • Optional dewar carts with 360 degree rotation and support up to 1000 lbs 
  • Highly customizable configuration
Stirling Refrigerator

Stirling Refrigerators

Low vibration, reliable and flexible refrigerator systems operating as low as 40 K.

This cooling system provides continuous, efficient, cooling within the temperature range of 40 K to 293 K.

A Stirling refrigerator system consists of a cold head, controller and integrated cooling fan. The system is extremely simple to operate. Once the system is under vacuum the cooler is turned on and a setpoint temperature is maintained. The Stirling cooler is controlled through simple serial commands.

Applications:

  • CCD cooling
  • FPA cooling and testing
  • Any application that needs temperatures as low as 40 K without using LN2

Features:

  • Operating temperature range: 40 K to 293 K
  • Indefinite hold time
  • Does not require LN2 or LHe
  • Highly customizable configuration
  • Very compact system
  • No compressor, no gas lines, no water cooling needed
  • Easy to operate
Joule Thompson Refrigerator

Joule-Thompson (JT)
Refrigerators

Very low vibration, reliable and flexible refrigerator operating at 70 K to 293 K.

This cooling system provides continuous cooling within the temperature range of 70 K to 293 K. This system has very low vibration because there are no moving parts in the cold head.

The JT refrigerator system consists of a cold head, compressor, and two gas transfer lines. The compressor is designed for maintenance-free service with a mean time between failures of 100,000 hours.

Applications:

  • CCD cooling
  • FPA cooling and testing
  • Any application that needs temperatures down to 70 K without using LN2

Features:

  • Operating temperature range: 70 K to 293 K
  • Closed cycle operation
  • Indefinite hold time
  • Does not require LN2 or LHe
  • Low vibration cold head
  • Highly customizable configuration
  • Compact compressor uses standard power outlet, air cooled
  • Easy to operate
HE3 Closed Cycle System

He3 Refrigerator

Portable and efficient multistage cooling system operating at 0.29 K to 0.35 K

The H3R refrigerator is a multistage cooling system utilizing the properties of He3, a man-made isotope of helium. A 2-inch diameter LHe3 cooled work surface is sustained at a temperature of 300 mK. A pumped LHe4 cooled radiation shield surrounds the He3 chamber. The LHe4 work surface with an attached radiation shield can cool a variety of user-specified optical and mechanical components. A LN2 cooled radiation shield surrounds the LHe4 chamber.

The size of the He3 work surface is fixed at 2 inches. However, the diameter of the LHe4 surface ranges from 5 to 10 inches.

Applications: 

  • Sensitive IR and mm Wave bolometers

Features:

  • Operating temperature range: 0.29 K to 0.35 K 
  • Closed cycle
  • Portable operation 
  • 24 to 48 hour hold time 
  • 0.30K bolometers available 
  • Highly customizable configuration