Your PATHWAYS to optical access for cryogenic experiments

Our compact optical cryostats for spectroscopy offer 5 optical windows (4 radial and 1 axial), providing f/1 access in all  orientations. All windows are easily exchanged in situ, keeping pace with your changing experimental needs.

The Cryofree compact cryostats come with f/1 and large clear optical access as standard. It offers a clear view of 28 mm diameter allowing a large illumination area for measurements involving the detection of low intensity light. 

A range of window materials are available to suit different wavelengths; wedged windows and anti-reflection coatings are also available. 

Some specialist applications require optical and beam access into the cryogenic sample environment coupled with high applied magnetic fields. For these applications large open angle access is desirable in both the horizontal and vertical plane of the measurement. In some cases, having anti-reflective coating around the beam access aides the quality of beam cleanliness. In such large open angle access magnet systems, former design is a key consideration with significant forces generated across the coils during operation. Symmetric and asymmetric coils allow fields to be generated with offset field centre lines for polarisation measurements. Careful selection of window materials to suit the wavelength and type of beam ensures minimal transmission losses. Finally, open angle, windowed and split ring former assemblies ensure optimal access to the sample region is balanced against former and coil size and weight. 

For diffraction, looking at the spatial structure of materials, X-rays and neutrons are scattered elastically so as not to exchange energy with the sample this includes small angle scattering for the study of surfaces and interfaces.

For spectroscopy, looking at the electronic and dynamic structure pf materials, X-rays, light and neutrons are scattered in-elastically exchanging energy with the sample measuring atom and lattice dynamics, vibrational and rotational states as well as chemical species, both short and long lived.

For muon spin research, similar in requirements to neutron scattering measurements, magnetometry on a microscopic scale is possible with local magnetic structure and hyperfine coupling able to be measured. These phenomena persist as dynamic phenomena and can be measured as they vary with time.

Using a polarised beam, comparison of left and right polarisations can give insight into spin species and magnetic behaviour.