Cryofurnaces & High-T Inserts

The cryofurnace is basically a standard variable-temperature "Orange" cryostat with an extended range above room temperature. The sample is top loaded into the sample chamber, which has aluminium shields and walls transparent to neutron beams. The radiation shields, at liquid nitrogen temperature, between the variable-temperature insert (V.T.I.) and the liquid helium bath, have been optimised so that the liquid helium evaporation rate of the bath is insensitive to the sample temperature. A friction weld between the sample well (stainless steel) and the sample chamber (aluminium) allows temperatures up to 300°C to be obtained. The double shield around the sample chamber maintains a reduced temperature gradient along the sample. In the cryogenic temperature range (T < 300K), the cryostat has the same performance as the standard ILL "Orange" cryostat. In the furnace temperature range (20°C < T < 300°C), the cryofurnace has a faster response time than standard furnaces.

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

All requests for liquid helium should 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 Services for Advanced Neutron Environment team.