Abstract: A borehole logging tool and cryostat therefor to maintain a semiconductor detector at cryogenic temperatures. The cryostat has an elongate single-phase heat sink of solid, thermally conductive material on which the detector is removably mounted. The other end of the heat sink is arranged to receive a liquid cryogen or the cold finger of a helium refrigerator, which is removed before a logging run; the detector being maintained at cryogenic temperatures during the logging run by absorption and retention of heat in the solid, single-phase heat sink. A rigid tube having similar thermal capacity and similarly pre-cooled to cryogenic temperatures, surrounds but is spaced from the heat sink. The tube and heat sink are supported by low thermal conductivity supports, the tube supports being arranged to permit changes in length of the tube.

Abstract: A borehole logging tool and cryostat therefor to maintain a semiconductor detector at cryogenic temperatures. The cryostat has an elongate single-phase heat sink of solid, thermally conductive material on which the detector is removably mounted. The other end of the heat sink is arranged to receive a liquid cryogen or the cold finger of a helium refrigerator, which is removed before a logging run; the detector being maintained at cryogenic temperatures during the logging run by absorption and retention of heat in the solid, single-phase heat sink. A rigid tube having similar thermal capacity and similarly pre-cooled to cryogenic temperatures, surrounds but is spaced from the heat sink.