Abstract: Cryogenic cooling apparatus comprises a chamber for containing coolant and a neck which opens into the chamber. A sleeve is provided which is located, when in use, within the neck. The apparatus includes a cooling element which is located exterior to the sleeve when the sleeve is in use. The sleeve comprises a heat transfer member adapted to cause the cooling element to remove heat from the interior of the sleeve through the use of heat transfer member.

Abstract: A cryostat assembly comprises a liquid coolant containing vessel; a mechanical cooler having at least one cooling stage located above the vessel; and a channel for conveying gaseous coolant from the vessel to the cooling stage where the coolant is condensed in use and then returns through the channel to the vessel. An acoustic wave attenuator is located in the channel for attenuating the passage of acoustic energy originating from the mechanical cooler and propagating through the gaseous coolant, while permitting flow of gaseous coolant to the cooling stage and flow of condensed coolant to the vessel.

Abstract: A cryostat assembly includes a thermal shield, a cooling system including a cold member maintained in use at a temperature lower than that of the thermal shield, a first adsorption pump assembly located at least partly within the thermal shield, a first switch thermally connecting the adsorption pump to the thermal shield, a second switch selectively, thermally connecting the adsorption pump to the cold member, and a first thermal link. The first adsorption pump includes a pumping chamber containing a working fluid and an adsorption pump in fluid communication with the pumping chamber. The first thermal link couples the pumping chamber to the cold member. During adsorption of the working fluid by the adsorption pump, a portion of the working fluid evaporates so as to cause the temperature within the pumping chamber to fall below the temperature of the cold member.

Abstract: A superconducting electromagnet formed by a potted coil wound around an axis. Axially spaced ends of the coil are secured to respective support members to enable the electromagnet to be supported horizontally.

Abstract: Cryogenic apparatus is provided having first and second single-shot refrigerators and an enclosure for containing a coolant gas. First and second condensation surfaces are provided within the enclosure, the said surfaces being selectively cooled when in use by the respective first and second single-shot refrigerators such that coolant gas condenses on the surfaces as liquid coolant. A cold platform which, receives the liquid coolant from the condensation surfaces. The enclosure is adapted to provide a path for gaseous coolant between the first and second condensation surfaces, the path having a lower hydraulic impedance than that between each of the condensation surfaces and the cold platform.

Abstract: A cryostat assembly comprises a liquid coolant containing vessel; a mechanical cooler having at least one cooling stage located above the vessel; and a channel for conveying gaseous coolant from the vessel to the cooling stage where the coolant is condensed in use and then returns through the channel to the vessel. An acoustic wave attenuator is located in the channel for attenuating the passage of acoustic energy originating from the mechanical cooler and propagating through the gaseous coolant, while permitting flow of gaseous coolant to the cooling stage and flow of condensed coolant to the vessel.

Abstract: A method of heat treating a coil (14) for use as a superconducting coil. The coil (14) is heated in a furnace, the temperature of the furnace being controlled to perform a predetermined heating cycle. A current is passed through the coil (14) for at least a portion of the heating cycle so as to further heat the coil by resistance heating.

Abstract: An adsorption refrigeration system and method are provided, the system comprising an adsorption pump which, in use, is arranged in communication with a chamber containing liquid and gaseous coolant. The associated method comprises expanding the gaseous coolant into an auxiliary volume member so as to cause the removal of part of the gaseous coolant from the chamber. This causes a reduction in the temperature and pressure of the gaseous coolant in the chamber. The adsorption pump is then operated so as to further cool the chamber by causing the evaporation of the coolant liquid within the chamber.

Abstract: A method of producing a transition edge sensor comprises depositing a sensing material upon a substrate to form a sensing layer having an associated transition temperature. The transition temperature for the sensing layer is selected as desired. The desired transition temperature is produced by controlling the temperature of the substrate for the deposition process.

Abstract: A dilution refrigerator assembly comprises a first module (1) including a dilution refrigerator (2); and a second module (3) including experimental services for attachment to a sample located in use outside the dilution refrigerator (2). The second module (3) can be attached to and demounted from the first module (1) without compromising the integrity of the dilution refrigerator.

Abstract: An adsorption refrigeration system and method are provided, the system comprising an adsorption pump which, in use, is arranged in communication with a chamber containing liquid and gaseous coolant. The associated method comprises expanding the gaseous coolant into an auxiliary volume member so as to cause the removal of part of the gaseous coolant from the chamber. This causes a reduction in the temperature and pressure of the gaseous coolant in the chamber. The adsorption pump is then operated so as to further cool the chamber by causing the evaporation of the coolant liquid within the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of hyperpolarizing a gas sample. The method cryogenically forming a solidified gas structure from the sample gas, the solidified gas structure being surrounded by 3He. A magnetic field is then to the solidified gas structure and the 3He to thereby polarize the solidified gas structure, before the 3He is removed to thereby leave a solidified gas structure of hyperpolarized sample gas.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly comprises a superconducting magnet (1) which, under working conditions, generates a magnetic field in a working volume, the superconducting magnet being connected in parallel with a superconducting switch (3), the switch and magnet being adapted to be connected in parallel to a power source (4) whereby under working conditions with the switch (3) open, the magnet (1) can be energised by the power source to generate a desired magnetic field in the working volume following which the switch (3) is closed, characterised in that the assembly further comprises a resistor (5) connected in series with the switch (3), the resistor (5) and switch (3) being connected in parallel to each of the magnet (1) and the power source (4).

Abstract: A method of producing a transition edge sensor comprises depositing a sensing material upon a substrate to form a sensing layer having an associated transition temperature. The transition temperature for the sensing layer is selected as desired. The desired transition temperature is produced by controlling the temperature of the substrate for the deposition process.