Abstract: A novel apparatus and method for distributing the cooling capacity provided by a commercial cryo-cooler. The cryo-cooler is connected to a first application housed in a first cryostat. A second application is provided—typically in a second cryostat. A heat exchanger is added to the first application. Circulating gas lines connect this heat exchanger to the second application contained in the second cryostat. Helium is circulated in the gas lines, with the flow of the helium being regulated so that it may be throttled between a zero flow condition and a maximum flow condition. The circulating helium gas transfers some of the available cooling capacity from the first application to the second application. This circulation regulates the temperature of both applications.