Cryogenics and Fluids Branch
Questions to Answer Before You Choose a Cryocooler
Each cooling technique has its own set of characteristics. For example, some methods absorb high heat loads, but require high electrical power. Other methods provide less cooling power, but also require less electrical power. (Passive cooling, for example, requires no electrical power.) Before we can help you determine what type of cooler would be best for your mission, you need to answer these questions.
- Temperature
- What temperature do you need to cool to?
- Heat Load
- How much heat will the cooler need to absorb? In general, that question divides in two: how much heat will leak in from warmer parts of the apparatus, and how much will the cold part of your apparatus actually generate?
- Mass
- How much can the cooler weigh without pushing your instrument over its mass budget?
- Power (If you're using a passive cooler, you can skip this question.)
- How much electrical power is available to run the cryocooler?
- Vibration (If you're using a passive cooler, you can skip this question.)
- If you're using a mechanical cooler, you need to choose a type that doesn't produce more vibration than your system can stand.
- Lifetime (If you're using a passive cooler, you can skip this question.)
- How long does your instrument need to run in order to meet your minimum science requirements? If your mission only needs to last 2 months, you can probably economize on your cryocooler. If, on the other hand, your mission will last for several years, then you need to be more choosy about your cryocooler.
