Principle
Producing cold using 3He/4He dilution
In classic dilution cryostats the liquid helium component (4.2 K) and the dilution component are combined in the same vessel. The film below [1] shows a dilution insert with the two functions separated. The insert is fitted below the liquid helium cryostat and the cold is produced in a mixing box.
In either case, gravity plays an essential role. These devices must not be overturned or even inclined.
Zero-gravity dilution
Satellites function in zero gravity, and the sample in a four-circle diffractometer like D10 rotates in every direction. This means that, if we want to cool using 3He/4He dilution, we need to find a way to obtain the mix without gravity, and that is what we see in the movie below [2].
The film shows a series of neutron images taken on Neutrograph at ILL in 2005. We can see the progressive dilution of the helium 3 droplets in helium 4 inside a capillary tube. The in situ observation of cold being produced in the D10 cryostat is possible because helium-4 is almost transparent to neutrons, whilst helium-3 is very opaque (isotopic effect).
References
- CD-ROM "Exploring matter with neutrons", A. Filhol (2004), Ed. iMediaSoft. Now available as a standalone application "NeutronEncyclopedia" <https://www.ill.eu/neutronencyclopedia>
- M. Enderle, S. Pujol, A. Hillenbach (Institut Laue-Langevin), A. Benoit (CRTBT CNRS) (2005) personal communication.