Cooling system for ultralow-temperature cryogenic detector cameras

ABSTRACT A prototype ultra low temperature cryogen free refrigerator has been developed at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory that may be coupled to ground based cryo-coolers or space cryo-coolers. Enabling such detectors to be used, in which the fact that the detector is at very low temperature is of little concern. A development system has been constructed as proof of concept for two space based refrigeration systems (labeled as Rocket borne system and space system), one of which (the rocket) is under construction. The developed system and subsequent systems provide a complete turnkey refrigeration system for cryogenic detector cameras. The refrigeration system may be utilized in either static or in moving environments, for example vehicles, aircraft or satellites, since the power consumption is low between 24 and 224 Watts and masses are in the region of 50-90 Kg, depending on the system. Keywords: Space, Cryo-cooler, Low temperature, Refrigerator, Camera, Low temperature detectors, ADR, Magnetic refrigerator, Pulse tube.