Nord Cryo Thermal Link
Faster cooldowns. Easy installation. A cost-effective way to improve dilution fridge performance.
Graphite-Based Thermal Self-Switching Links for dilution refrigerators.
These passive thermal links are designed to help reduce cooldown times without heaters, control wiring, or complex mechanical heat switches. They are supplied with copper ends, cut to length, and designed to fit existing fridge setups without custom modification.
The principle is simple: the synthetic graphite has high thermal conductivity at room temperature, helping move heat quickly during cooldown. As the temperature drops, its conductivity decreases dramatically, becoming highly insulating below approximately 10K.
This makes these links a natural passive thermal switch.
For best performance, the links are designed to be installed between the stages below 4K, helping transfer heat from the payload toward the pulse tube during the early stages of cooldown.
Key benefits:
- Faster cooldowns
- Passive operation, no heaters or control wiring
- Compact and lightweight
- Fits existing fridge configurations
- Economical alternative to complex mechanical heat switches
- Can also improve warm-up times
In one example case, a 3,5-day cooldown was reduced to around 3 days, potentially meaning the difference between starting work in the morning rather than waiting until late afternoon.
Exact performance naturally depends on the cryogenic payload, with larger loads typically offering greater potential benefit.
Typical applications include:
- Fast-cycling dilution refrigerators
- Large-payload dilution refrigerators
- Cryogenic component test systems
The links are made to order, with lengths from 50 mm up to 310 mm per section.
See the below brochure for dimensions, specifications, ordering information, and more.
If you have a fridge setup in mind, get in touch! We’d be happy to help determine the right configuration.