Electronics for cryogenic systems

Superconducting magnet power supply

The IPS range of Intelligent Power Supply for is purpose-built for superconducting magnets and provides:

• True bipolar output to 120 A (IPS120-10) or 125 amps (IPS125-9) with smooth sweep through zero
• Current resolution to 0.1 mA
• Programmable current sweep
• Power and control for a persistent switch
• Full safety features in the event of a magnet quench
• By connecting the IPS superconducting magnet power supply to an ILM liquid helium (LHe) level meter, safe auto-rundown of a superconducting magnet is enabled if the LHe level falls below a pre-set safe minimum level
• All functions can be controlled from the front panel or PC via RS232 or GPIB

Superconducting magnet shim power supply

The ISS10 is a 10-channel power supply suitable for energising superconducting shim coils.

• All functions can be controlled from the front panel or PC via RS232 or GPIB

Cryogen level meters

The ILM200 series of  Intelligent Level Meters can monitor the output from up to two liquid helium (LHe) level probes and one liquid nitrogen (LN2) level probe. Each channel includes a programmable audible low level alarm.

• By connecting to an IPS superconducting magnet power supply, the ILM can provide safe auto-rundown of a superconducting magnet if helium level falls below a pre-set value
• All functions can be controlled from the front panel or PC via RS232 or GPIB

A simple battery-operated liquid helium (LHe) level meter is available as a portable alternative.

Temperature controllers

The ITC series of Intelligent Temperature Controllers has been designed for applications in the range 0.3-1500 K.

• The ITC503 is a fully-configured PID controller; the base unit controls a single sensor but may be upgraded for 3 sensors input
• The ITC601 is a single-sensor benchtop controller for rhodium-iron (Rh-Fe), platinum (Pt) or gold-iron/chromel thermocouples
• All functions can be controlled from the front panel or PC via RS232 or GPIB (not  GPIB on ITC601)

Ultra-low temperature monitoring and control

The AVS47 resistance bridge has been designed for precision resistance measurements from milliohms to megohms, making it ideal for temperature monitoring to below 10 mK. It includes:

• Independent pre-amplifier that can be connected directly to the sensor outputs
• Isolated RS232 or GPIB interface
• Square wave excitation to minimise linearity errors
• Option for power by external batteries

For temperature control at ultra-low temperatures, the TS530 Bridge Controller can be used manually (front panel switches) or remotely via the interface of the AVS47 resistance bridge monitor . It combines the best features of analogue and digital design for temperature control in the mK range.

 

More temperature control options…

Oxford Instruments can also offer the following temperature controllers to complement specific Oxford Instruments system configurations:

• Cryocon 32B for temperature control down to 300 mK; dual channel
• Lakeshore 340 temperature controller for high resolution temperature control down to 10 mK; dual channel
• Lakeshore 370AC resistance bridge with temperature control for low noise, low excitation power AC resistance measurements from 20 mK to 1 K; single channel (16 channel scanner option also available)

Check out the options when specifying our cryogenic system configuration.

 

Software control

• Oxford Instruments electronics products are controllable through the OxSoft software using RS232, ISOBUS or GPIB interfaces
• LabVIEW virtual instruments are provided for Oxford Instruments electronics products to allow full PC-based control and monitoring. These can be integrated into a complete LabVIEW data acquisition system.