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16-04-2009
Today's Colloquium: Cryo-cooling (ter Brake, Twente)
| Submitter: | Jan Geralt Bij de Vaate |
| Description: | The research within the Low Temperature division of the University of Twente is oriented towards ‘Applied Superconductivity’ in a broad sense. The research sub-group “Cooling and Instrumentation” led by prof. Ter Brake focuses on the development of advanced cooling technologies: microcooling and sorption-based compressors. In microcooling, the aim is to realize extremely small coolers by means of micromachining technologies (MEMS) for reaching cryogenic temperatures, well below 120 K, i.e. 150 oC. A miniature 100 K cooler was developed in which gas is expanded that is supplied by a high-pressure gas bottle. Sorption-based compressors are developed for low-noise applications in a general sense. Microcoolers can be applied to cool low-noise amplifiers in antenna systems such as SKA. By cooling these amplifiers to cryogenic temperatures (100 – 120 K) the resolution of antenna arrays can be significantly improved. As part of a recently started STW project, a demonstrator will be realized with a limited number of LNAs in a pilot project together with ASTRON. Sorption-based compressor can be used when vibration-free cooling is required. Because of the non-mechanical nature of these compressors, no vibrations are generated, and cooling can be established by incorporating a Joule-Thomson expansion stage. This can be in small scale (combined with microcoolers) or in large scale (as in E-ELT). |
| Copyright: | Marcel ter Brake |
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