Hitchhiker's Guide to the Dilution Refrigerator - Harvard University ...

LHe TRANSFER TO MAIN BATH (Not complete instructions; just a few reminders pertinent to
the initial transfer)
1) Check that the outlet end of the LHe transfer tube has the correct nozzle. For the initial
transfer, you should use a tip that opens straight down, as it is best to spray LHe to the bottom of
the empty main bath during the first transfer. For later transfers use the nozzle with side
openings, since it's better to spray incoming LHe to the sides of the partially full bath to avoid
excess splashing.
2) Put the level meter sampling rate to high.
3) Transfer philosophies vary, but during the initial transfer it is important to cool the insert as
adiabatically as possible to avoid excess LHe blowoff. Use a very slow rate of flow; begin the
transfer without pressurizing the dewar, and allow dewar pressure to govern the transfer until the
dewars equilibrate. Then pressurize the LHe dewar at a VERY low pressure, ~1-2 psi. Cooling
the magnet from 200 ohms (77K) to 300 ohms should take roughly one hour, but cooling the
remainder of the way to ~1084 ohms (4.2K) takes roughly fifteen minutes.
4) Usually no more than 11 inches (~50L) of LHe are required to cool and fill the fridge dewar
from 77K.
5) Once the transfer is complete, turn the level meter sampling rate back to low to reduce boil-off
from the main bath.
6) Compare resistor readings with typical 4K values. Check sample connections.
7) You can begin this step when you begin the initial Lhe transfer. Connect a turbo pump or leak
detector to the valved tee into the condenser line and pumping line. Use the pump to evacuate
the condenser line and pumping line through the two valves on the tee as well as 1 and 3. Don’t
forget to open the stupid fat valve (old Stanford fridge only) in the pumping line where it runs past
the dumps. Pump for 30 minutes to an hour so that P1 is as low as possible. The condenser line
valve and pumping line valve should remain closed until the lines are cleared, as otherwise air
can flow into the dilution unit, freeze, and cause an obnoxious block.
8) Once the pumping line and condenser line have been evacuated, open the pumping line valve
and the condenser line valve to pump on the dilution unit for 30 minutes to an hour.
9) Close the pumping line valve and condenser line valve and also 1,3, and the valves on the tee.
You can leave the stupid fat valve (old Stanford fridge only) open for the rest of the run.
Disconnect the pump.
10) Stop flowing He gas through the pot line by closing first the needle valve, then the pot line
valve, then the tee valve. Open 4a to pump the pot line down to ~10-2mbar. Open the pot valve
to pump the pot down to ~10-1mbar. Close the pot valve and 4a.
PREPARING TO CONDENSE
1) The thermal contact between the dilution unit and main bath must be broken or the dilution unit
will not cool below 4.2K.
2) Connect a turbo to the IVC line valve. Pump out the lines to ~10-4 mbar, then open the IVC
valve to pump out exchange gas for 3-4 hours or overnight so that the pump pressure decreases
to 10-5 mbar. Close IVC valve.
3) Insert the LHe cold trap.
4) Insert and fill the LN2 cold trap. During operation, fill it once a day or so, and take care that the
level never falls far below ~50%
5) Start with all cabinet valves closed.
6) Open 1.
7) Open 13a and let gas from behind the pump cool in the LN2 trap for ~ 1 minute.
8) Open the pumping line valve but keep the condenser line valve closed for now.
CONDENSING THE MIXTURE
1) Check that 1a and 5a are closed.
2) Prepare to pump on the pot. Open 4a to pump the pot line down to ~10-2mbar. Open the pot
valve to pump the pot down to ~10-1mbar.
3) Begin to cool the pot. Open the needle valve slightly, and set the throughput to
allow the pot to cool. The pot resistor should approach 1.62 kOhm with P2 ~ 10 - 20 mbar. The
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