20 February 2012

Lake Shore launches cryogen-free probe stations

Lake Shore Cryotronics Inc of Westerville OH, USA, which makes scientific sensors, instruments and systems for precise measurement and control, has launched the new Model CRX-VF and Model CRX-EM-HF cryogen-free probe stations.

The two new platforms add vertical and horizontal field to Lake Shore’s growing family of closed-cycle refrigerator (CCR) probe stations. The new CCR probe stations suit non-destructive measurement of the electrical, magneto-transport, electro-optical, parametric, high-Z, DC, RF and microwave properties of materials and test devices. Nanoscale electronics, quantum wires and dots, spintronic (TMR, GMR) devices, and semiconductors are typical materials measured.

Lake Shore says that the new probe stations are simple to operate, and that they control temperature efficiently using two-stage CCR cooling engines that cut ongoing usage costs by eliminating the challenges of sourcing and handling liquid cryogens. Cooling automation allows one-switch startup and unattended cool-down. The CCR probe stations provide full temperature instrumentation for accurate temperature measurement, stable control and optimized warm up for sample exchange, translating to research productivity. Depending on probe station and configuration, temperature ranges span from 8K to 500K, providing good temperature stability (10-20mK). The Model CRX-VF and CRX-EM-HF provide field strengths of 2.5T and 0.6T, respectively. Sample-stage vibration is limited to less than 1 micron throughout the full-scale temperature range so as not to affect measurement performance.

The new cryogen-free models expand Lake Shore’s overall line of probe stations to nine distinct models. “With the increasing costs of liquid helium, and the growing difficulty in obtaining it, we see more customers deciding to invest in cryogen-free measurement systems,” says Rob Ellis, VP of strategic planning. “Our globally installed base of CCR probes stations is growing rapidly,” he adds. CCR probe stations also simplify processes and reduce scheduling conflicts related to operating with cryogens, says the firm – personnel trained in cryogen transfers and monitoring of cryogen are no longer necessary.

Lake Shore is showcasing the new CCR probe stations in booth 200 at the American Physical Society’s March Meeting 2012 in Boston, MA (27 February – 2 March 2).

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