Continuous flow cryostat with integrated Diacell® CryoDAC-LT diamond anvil cell.

This low temperature and high pressure system combines Almax easyLab’s continuous flow cryostat capable of reaching temperatures as low as 4 K and a miniature diamond anvil cell, the Diacell® CryoDAC-LT which is ideal for work up to about 20 GPa.

A continuous flow cryostat works on the principle that liquid cryogen (this can be helium or nitrogen) is transferred from a separate vessel and circulated through a transfer tube to the heat exchanger of the cryostat. The cryogen flow is regulated by a needle valve on the transfer tube.

Precise temperature control is achieved by using a temperature controller to drive a heater located near the sample. The temperature close to the sample is measured by employing a standard rhodium iron sensor, also connected to the controller.

The CF-DAC system has excellent optical access. Five sets of windows (four radial and one axial at the bottom) are supplied as standard. Each window set includes three windows (inner, radiation and outer). All windows are demountable and may be exchanged at any time. The standard system is supplied with fused silica windows.

Cooldown time is of the order of 40 mins and the liquid helium consumption is about 1.5 litres. Samples can be changed with the cryostat cold enabling rapid sample exchanges.  The typical helium consumption of the system at 4.2 K is approximately 500 cc/hr.