The N-HeliX - dual flow nitrogen and helium gas cooler
Our innovative N-HeliX system runs at temperatures as low as 28 K whilst also being economical to run, using a minimal gas flow and avoiding the issues associated with liquid helium.
A typical helium gas cylinder lasts around 16-20 hours, and by linking cylinders in a manifold, long term experiments can be performed. We’ve integrated the N-HeliX with our Cryosystems’ 800 series controller to give you an ergonomic, touch screen design that comes with USB and ethernet ports, so you can monitor and control your system via our web interface, Oxford Connect.
Originally designed for single crystal samples, our customers are also starting to see some exciting results when using the N-HeliX to cool capillary powder samples.
Features & Tech Specs
The N-HeliX can be used in either a vertical or horizontal position and boasts the following features:
- Temperature range of 28 – 300 K
- Excellent temperature stability of 0.3 K
- Uses helium gas from cylinders- NOT liquid helium
- Uses nitrogen or helium gas
- Remote control available via CryoConnector and Oxford Connect
- Fast cool-down to 100 Kelvin in just 45 minutes and 30 Kelvin in 75 minutes
- Now with new 800 series touch screen controller
Technical Specifications
Economical to run and simple to use
Helium or nitrogen gas is cooled by passing it through heat exchangers mounted on a two stage, closed cycle cooler. The cold helium or nitrogen gas then passes out of the nozzle and over the sample.
The closed cycle cooler is mounted within the body of the N-HeliX and is driven by a helium compressor. The helium in this circuit is unrelated to the cold flow and is recycled by the compressor.
A second gas stream at room temperature provides extra shielding for the cold stream in order to improve the resistance to icing. For helium usage, a 10mm diameter X-ray transparent Beryllium shield tube extends around and beyond the crystal to protect the cold stream from atmospheric contamination. Notches within the tube walls prevent primary X-ray beam diffraction and also allow accurate crystal positioning. This can be changed to a standard aluminium nozzle for data collection at nitrogen temperatures.
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Innovative coolers for the global scientific community
Our range of open flow gas coolers are designed with single crystal diffraction in mind, with both nitrogen and helium devices available.