3. Dilution Cryostat

In the laboratory, dilution cryostats have become the preferred choice for very high sensitivity instruments or for studying physical properties at very low temperatures (from 2 to 500 mK). The principles of refrigeration date back to studies carried out in the 1960s [London – Radebaugh]. The first devices were introduced in laboratories in the early 1970s.

With the recent development of cryorefrigerators reaching liquid helium temperatures, we have seen the first dilution refrigerators operating without cryogenic liquids. They have been commercially available for around ten years, and avoid the operational constraints associated with the supply and recovery of liquid helium.

The design of this type of refrigerator is currently well mastered, and can be adapted to a wide range of experimental constraints.