Static field instrumentation

The LNCMI conducts extensive developments of cryogenic devices and scientific instrumentation compliant with the particular constraints of resistive high field magnets. The technical challenges comprise very low (20 mK) or very high (1000 °C) temperatures, limited sample space, mechanical and electrical noise, vacuum, high pressure, in-situ sample rotation, spatially resolved optical spectroscopy, high frequency circuits for nuclear magnetic resonance and compatibility with neutron, x-ray or intense laser beam lines.

As high field magnets are different from any “standard” laboratory magnet, the LNCMI designs, constructs, operates and refines tailored cryogenic devices like ⁴He and ³He cryostats or ³He/⁴He dilution refrigerators. LNCMI also provides a thermometry platform for thermometer calibration at cryogenic temperatures (actually down to 1.2 K) under high magnetic fields (up to 36 T).

Moreover, the LNCMI continuously develops and improves experimental techniques like thermoelectric power and contactless resistance (TDO) measurements, resolution enhanced devices for optical spectroscopy, high resolution NMR, magneto-hydrodynamics and many others.

The development of new techniques and devices is realized in close collaboration between the researchers and the cryogenics and scientific instrumentation team with support from the design office, the mechanical workshop and the electronics laboratory. The scientific instrumentation team is composed of specialists in mechanics, cryogenics, CAD design, electronics, optics, programming and general scientific instrumentation.

The LNCMI provides technical support to external visitors using the high magnetic field facilities:

• An in-house researcher or engineer (the “local contact”), who is specialized in the scientific domain and the experimental technique, is attributed to each user experiment. The local contact is the primary contact person for all scientific and technical issues during the preparation and the execution of the experiment.
• In addition, the cryogenics and scientific instrumentation team provides technical support to users and their local contacts. It is particularly responsible for the installation and proper operation of the various cryogenic devices and general instrumentation in the high magnetic field environment, as well as the sample preparation room.

Information for users on magnetic field geometries and maximum field strengths, experimental techniques and the proposal submission procedure can be found on the website of the EMFL.