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Development of a cryogen-free continuous ADR for the constellation-X mission.

Author(s) : SHIRRON P., CANAVAN E., DIPIRRO M., et al.

Summary

Constellation-X is a multi-satellite X-ray astronomy mission presently being planned for launch in the 2010 time frame. To achieve the desired energy resolution of 2 eV, the detectors will be cooled to 50 mK. The projected cooling power requirement is approximately 5 W. In order to meet the mission lifetime requirement of 6 years (with a goal of 10 years), a mechanical cryocooler will be used to provide a heat sink for the low temperature cooler. In the paper the authors discuss the development of a continuous adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (CADR) that meets the cooling requirements of the X-ray microcalorimeter spectrometer instrument. The four-stage CADR presently being tested can operate continuously at 50 mK using a 4.2 K helium bath as a heat sink. Details of the CADR's design and operation, as well as the development program leading up to a flight-qualified instrument, are discussed.

Details

  • Original title: Development of a cryogen-free continuous ADR for the constellation-X mission.
  • Record ID : 2005-1118
  • Languages: English
  • Publication date: 2004/06
  • Source: Source: Cryogenics/Proc. 2003 Space Cryog. Workshop, Girdwood, Alaska
    vol. 44; n. 6-8; 581-588; fig.; tabl.; 20 ref.

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