The CRYOSTATION® standard line evolved from the original Montana Instruments system, setting a new standard of performance and usability in a closed-cycle optical cryostat. It offers a versatile tabletop mounting architecture with patented vibration damping technologies to deliver exceptional thermal and vibrational performance without sacrificing ease-of-use. Today, the Cryostation s-series is available in a variety of configurations with additional options and add-ons to fit the unique needs of each researcher and experiment.
Performance Benefits
- Low thermal fluctuations and nanometer level vibrations provide a stable measurement environment
- Wide temperature ranges (3.2K – 350K) with fast cooldowns make the instrument more productive
- Closed-cycle operation means no helium is consumed, so users avoid the high costs, uncertain supply, and challenging operation associated with liquid cryogens
Usability Benefits
- Straightforward user interface and fully-automated control system increases experimental efficiency
- Incredible sample, electrical, and optical access provides total experiment flexibility
- Fully-integrated, turn-key design gets you up and running quickly with minimal effort
- Tabletop design integrates into existing setups and can be moved easily
Features
- Cooling System Components
- Closed-cycle (cryogen-free) Gifford-McMahon (GM) 2-Stage cryocooler recirculates a fixed supply of helium gas to cool stages within the cold head
- Variable speed helium compressor pumps helium gas in and out of the cryocooler
- System Architecture
- Cryostat & sample chamber mount directly to any optical table
- Accessible – various experimental setups are easily implemented around the instrument while maintaining sample & optical access
- Flexible – mount at 45° or parallel to hole pattern on Imperial or Metric table
- Modular – easily move the system without being tied to the table or an external support structure
- Cryostat & sample chamber mount directly to any optical table
- System Control
- User interface mini-laptop PC (Windows®) with control software
- Fully automated & optimized temperature control – simply set the target temperature & press cooldown
- Monitor the status of system parameters – the user interface displays real-time cooldown, temperature, and temperature stability
- Software logs cooldowns with built-in diagnostics
- TCP/IP and DLL commands via OLE Automation (supports LabVIEW, Python, C++ & other programs)
- Remote control – conveniently control the system from any computer or cellphone with internet access
- External scripting – program system parameters to automate measurements, such as temperature stepping or ramping at defined intervals
- Solve issues quickly with remote customer service – technicians can network into your system for real-time troubleshooting and diagnostic assistance
- Control Unit includes the vacuum pump, power supply & temperature control electronics
- Complete process automation – controls and optimizes system parameters during vacuum pump out, cooldown, stabilization, warmup, and venting
- Straightforward system monitoring – protect the system and sample with automated process monitoring and diagnostic support
- Self-activated dry nitrogen clean gas purge when warming up helps reduce environmental contaminates and facilitates faster cooldowns
- User interface mini-laptop PC (Windows®) with control software
- Sample Environment
- Sample space accessed by lifting off outer window (vacuum) housing assembly & radiation shield
- Configurable experimental setup – various sample mounting schemes & positional control options are available, including fiber and RF probe assemblies for photonic probe station setups
- Preinstalled electrical connections – user feedthroughs with terminals inside the sample space offer low frequency connections for DC measurements or additional thermometers
- Expanded interfacing options – route RF, fiber, gas and additional DC connections into the sample space through available side panels
- Optical access provided from all sides with multiple radial ports and a top window
- Flexible integration options – accommodate various measurement geometries, such as transmission, side reflection, and overhead microscopy
- Improved collection efficiency – high NA & low working distance options available
- Optical substrates – easily swap out windows for various wavelengths and application requirement
- Sample space accessed by lifting off outer window (vacuum) housing assembly & radiation shield
- Performance
- A combination of patented and proprietary techniques optimizes thermal and mechanical stability without sacrificing temperature or cooling power
- Consistently reach base temperature – intentional thermal design with the use of proprietary materials and damping techniques allows the system to achieve the lowest temperatures possible for a given setup
- Setup sensitive measurements with low noise – a patented vibration damping architecture rigidly supports the sample while isolating cryocooler energy to achieve nanometer level vibrations
- Maintain sample alignment across the full temperature range – a thermal contraction-canceling platform minimizes sample stage positional drift
- Remain in focus at each setpoint with precise temperature stability – active and passive control parameters help to achieve greater than a 20x reduction in cryocooler-induced thermal fluctuations on the platform
- A combination of patented and proprietary techniques optimizes thermal and mechanical stability without sacrificing temperature or cooling power
Model & Specifications
| Cryostation s50 | Cryostation s100 | Cryostation s200 | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMPARISON | ||||
| Overview | Smallest working volume with the lowest possible temperatures, vibrations & cooldown times | Volume optimized with more space to accommodate additional equipment | Largest working volume with the ability to integrate components directly onto the cold breadboard platform | Additional equipment may include multiple nanopositioning stacks, RF & fiber probes, free-space optics, and other custom designs |
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 |
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*Images are not to scale | |
| Best For | Basic optical configurations with few accessories | Complex sample probing and/or optical fiber alignment with space for additional accessories | Large cryogenic sample configurations with space for multiple accessories | |
| Tradeoffs | Restricted internal working volume | Potential reduction in temperature & vibrational performance (depending on configuration) | Longer cooldown with slightly higher temperatures | |
| PERFORMANCE DATA | ||||
| Temperature Range | 3.2 K – 350 K | 3.2 K – 350 K | 3.6 K – 350 K | |
| Temperature Stability | <10 mk | <10 mk | <20 mk | peak to peak (w/ damped sample mount) |
| Vibrational Stability | <5 nm | <10 nm | <15 nm | peak to peak |
| Cool Down Time to 4.2K | ~2 hrs | ~3 hrs | ~10 hrs | |
| Cooling Power @ Base T | 150 mW | 100 mW | 75 mW | measured at sample location |
| OPTICAL PROPERTIES | ||||
| Optical Access | 5 optical ports (4 radial + 1 overhead) |
5 optical ports (4 radial + 1 overhead) |
9 optical ports (8 radial + 1 overhead) |
|
| Acceptance Angle | 60° full angle | 27.5° full angle | 16° full angle | sample at center of platform -80° near cold window -120° near warm window |
| Working Distance | 13.5 mm horizontal 7.9 mm vertical |
28 mm horizontal 7.9 mm vertical |
17.5 mm horizontal 7.9 mm vertical |
Options for <1 mm available |
| INTERFACING | ||||
| Electrical Access | 20 user connections1 8 configurable1 |
25 user connections2 8 configurable2 |
25 user connections2 8 configurable2 |
|
| Interface Side Panels | 2 | 4 | 6 | RF, DC, fiber or gas tube options available |
| Thermal Lagging | 2 locations | 4 locations | 8 locations | to radiation shield |
| Temperature Sensors | 2 Calibrated Cernoxâ„¢ | 2 Calibrated Cernoxâ„¢ | 2 Calibrated Cernoxâ„¢ | corresponding to platform and sample temperature -location for 1 user thermometer available |
| DIMENSIONS | ||||
| Sample Space | ∅53 mm x 63 mm | ∅100 mm x 122 mm | ∅196 mm x 75 mm | standard & custom options available to enlarge |
| Beam Height | 89.9 mm | 140 mm | 100 mm | options available to modify |
| Platform Style | Circular mounting plate with 1″∅ bolt pattern | Circular mounting plate with 1″∅ bolt pattern | Breadboard platform with 12.5mm grid of mounting holes | |
| OPTIONS | ||||
| Sample Mounting | standard thermally damped adjustable | standard thermally damped adjustable | user specified | standard (fixed, adjustable, electrical) & custom alternatives available |
| Sample Motion | optional nanopositioner integration | optional nanopositioner integration | optional nanopositioner integration | stages can be recessed or mounted on platform |
| Add-On Compatibility: High NA Integration | Cryo-Optic (CO): Integration of a room temperature Cryo-Optic high NA objective (vertically mounted) into the sample space. | Cryo-Optic (CO): Integration of a room temperature Cryo-Optic high NA objective (horizontally mounted) into the sample space. | Cryo-Optic (CO): Custom integration of a room temperature Cryo-Optic high NA objective (vertically mounted) into the sample space. | |
| Add-On Compatibility: Magnetic Field Integration | Magneto-Optic (MO): Integration of a 0.7T bipolar magnet with 5 optical access ports. | External superconducting & electromagnet integration options | External superconducting & electromagnet integration options | |
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