The standard ILL "Orange" cryostat was developed by the ILL cryogenics department to meet the needs of experimental scientists. The main requirements were for a robust and simple to use yet high performance cryostat suitable for neutron scattering. The main features of the "Orange" cryostat include large sample top loading capability, isolated sample area with static exchange gas, low helium consumption and fast sample cycling times. Several variants of the standard cryostat are available to accommodate different sample dimensions and uses. The standard sample access dimensions are of Ø50, 70 and 100 mm. All orange cryostats can be supplied with helium and nitrogen level monitors with auto-fill possibility and a helium pumping system if required. The Ø50 and 70 mm cryostats may be equipped with dilution insert systems giving a base temperature of about 40 mK.

In response to scientists needs, the cryogenics team has developed a Ø70 top loading closed cycle cryo-refrigerator. The main advantages compared to a standard cryostat are that they require no cryogens (liquid helium or liquid nitrogen) and low temperatures can be achieved rapidly with the push of a button. The ILL dry "Orange" cryostat uses a Sumitomo SRDK-408D2-F50H cold head which employs the Gifford-McMahon refrigeration cycle. The cryostat can host a heating insert and the temperature ranges from 3.6 to 650K. For the moment, there is only one copy of this cryostat on IN13 but it is planned to replace some of the standard "Orange" cryostats in the coming years.

Some of the cryostats and sample sticks are available from a pool on request. Sufficient advance notice to sane(at)ill.fr is required for their reservation and preparation. Other cryostats are assigned to specific instruments. The scientific and technical staff of the instruments concerned are in charge of their upkeep. However major repairs and modifications are carried out in the workshop of the Advanced Neutron Environment team.

All requests for liquid helium should be be made at least 48 hours in advance. Please arrange with your local contact to order your helium. If you are not familiar with transferring liquid helium between dewar and cryostat, please do not hesitate to call for assistance from your local contact or directly from the Advanced Neutron Environment team.

Cryostats and sticks available from the pool

Cryostats assigned to specific instruments