After 25 years in the high-tech cryogenics field, while employed at Cryogenic Technical Services (CTS) and High Precision Devices (HPD) and working with some of the best scientific minds in the world, Charlie Danaher started Danaher Cryogenics in early 2022 to respond to the ever-increasing demand for elegant, collaborative solutions to address the new cryogenic challenges. To paint a picture of Danaher Cryogenics’ offerings, a brief review of Charlie’s experience is in order.

The following handful of high-profile projects represent the foundation for Danaher Cryogenics: 

Propellant Densification Without Use of Rotating Machinery—Worked on by CTS with Boeing, the outcome of this project was a novel system that provided LN2 subcooled to 65.5 K (118 Rankine) at a rate of 32 lbm/sec and a heat rejection rate of 600 BTU/sec. [1] 

Main Cryostat for Deuterium Test System for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) Cryogenic Target System (NCTS)—CTS worked with General Atomics on their Inertial Fusion project, located at the National Ignition facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The product delivered was used to cool deuterium targets to ~7 K and held to a temperature stability of ~1 mK. [2] 

ATRAP II Trap—CTS worked with Harvard University on ATRAP II Trap for trapping and studying antihydrogen atoms. The CTS-delivered system was a 19” warm bore cryostat that housed a superconducting 1T solenoid magnet. The full system went on to be installed at CERN. [3] 

While at HPD, Charlie was instrumental in developing the Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator (ADR) family of cryostats, as well as a dilution refrigerator cryostat. The ADR family of cryostats became the most successful commercialization of lab-based ADR technology in the world. The ADR cryostats are used worldwide in astronomy, quantum computing, and nuclear non-proliferation efforts. It’s from this basis that Danaher Cryogenics entered the market. Establishing business in Boulder, Col., allows Danaher to capitalize on the rich cryogenic roots in the area, including the notable National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Laboratory, with which Charlie has collaborated in developing several cryostat models.

Continuing with the cryostat product focus, Danaher Cryogenics is excited to offer a range of 1 K and millikelvin cryostats. To offer the broadest range of systems possible, Danaher is partnering with other reputable cryogenic companies, and the team can now offer 100 mK cooling with powers ranging from just a few microWatts to 1,500 microWatts. For instance, to address the ever-increasing need for high-power, millikelvin systems, Danaher is partnering with Leiden Cryogenics to offer dilution refrigerator sales and service in North America. Leiden cryostats enjoy an excellent reputation and have been used in many reputable institutions on exciting projects. Leiden’s most popular cryostat is the Model CF-CS110, which offers impressive 100 mK cooling powers ranging from 500 microW to 1,500 microW. 

Chase Research Cryogenics (CRC) is legendary for making sorption-pumped refrigerators used in many cryostats throughout the world. Danaher is proud to be partnering with CRC to provide full cryostat systems. These systems will include single-shot and continuous 1 K, .5 K and continuous 100 mK mini-DR systems. Particularly exciting is CRC’s Continuous Miniature Dilutor (CMD) which offers unique, compact, continuous 100 mK cooling. The special beauty of the CRC CMD is that one can obtain continuous 100 mK cooling without the hassles typically associated with dilution refrigerators. For instance, the CMD is a small self-contained unit, only requiring a few liters of expensive He-3 gas. And because the CMD is sealed, there is no need for the usual external gas-handling system, thereby eliminating the service required for pumps and greatly reducing the chances of gas loss. In the past, CRC customers were typically forced to exert the effort to incorporate the Chase refrigerator into a cryostat themselves, usually with the customer needing to design and fabricate their own cryostat.  With the Danaher partnership, customers can order a complete cryostat, with the CRC cooler already integrated.   

The need for new cryogenic systems does not appear to be waning. Every day, new uses are discovered, requiring new products. Danaher Cryogenics is up for the challenge. By exercising the relationships formed over the last quarter-century, and employing the experience gained from many past successes, Danaher Cryogenics embraces the future with optimism and enthusiasm. https://danahercryo.com

Image: Leiden Cryogenics Cryostat Model CF-CS110, available with 500, 1,000 and 1,500 microW @ 100mK. Credit: Leiden Cryogenics 

References:

[1] https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/abs/10.2514/6.2002-3599

[2]https://fusion.gat.com/pubs-ext/AnnSemiannETC/A23852_sec3_2.pdf

[3]https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/14226066? show=full