A compact ADR controller for spaceflight applications

James R. Hinderks; Dale J. Fixsen; Alan J. Kogut; Paul Mirel; Peter J. Shirron

doi:10.1117/12.789997

21 July 2008 A compact ADR controller for spaceflight applications

James R. Hinderks, Dale J. Fixsen, Alan J. Kogut, Paul Mirel, Peter J. Shirron

Proceedings Volume 7020, Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV; 70202J (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789997
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2008, Marseille, France

Abstract

Adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators (ADRs) can provide very low temperatures (< 100mK), making them an attractive option for cooling millimeter and submillimeter detectors. One drawback to their use has been the bulky electronic equipment that was often needed to operate them. In this paper, we present a compact, ADR controller that is designed for applications such as scientific ballooning and spaceflight where weight and reliability are primary concerns. The complete controller is contained on a 160mm by 100mm circuit card. A prototype has been tested with a single-stage ADR system. A minimum temperature of 180mK was achieved and stable control was demonstrated with an RMS temperature noise of 4.4 uK and a 1/f knee of order 1mHz. The dominant source of noise is digitization noise in the thermometer readout. Three cards on a backplane are currently being set up to control a three-stage ADR that is designed for continuous operation at 100mK. Additionally, a lower noise control card is under development.

Citation Download Citation

James R. Hinderks, Dale J. Fixsen, Alan J. Kogut, Paul Mirel, and Peter J. Shirron "A compact ADR controller for spaceflight applications", Proc. SPIE 7020, Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV, 70202J (21 July 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789997

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