RESUMO
A new method of constructing a superleak assembly for use in experiments involving (4)He or (3)He-(4)He mixtures at very low temperatures is described. Superleaks are made of a porous medium with very small pores and channels. Superleaks are often incorporated in thermomechanical pumps, superfluid magnetic pumps, dilution refrigerators, and superfluid helium transfer systems. We used several cylindrical pieces of Vycor, a permeable glass with average pore diameter of 40 Å and porosity of 28%, as a candidate to be used in our superleak assembly. Our design is simple and compact. Our superleak assembly can be disassembled and easily reassembled for reuse. We successfully tested and validated this device at temperatures between 1.4 K and 2.7 K. We experienced no superfluid leaks into the surrounding vacuum. We also report that thermal cycling caused no performance degradation. It is our goal to share the design and construction techniques of this new superleak assembly.
RESUMO
We have measured the thermal conductance of a mechanical heat switch actuated by a piezoelectric positioner, the PZHS (PieZo electric Heat Switch), at cryogenic temperatures. The thermal conductance of the PZHS was measured between 4 K and 10 K, and on/off conductance ratios of about 100-200 at lowest and highest measures temperature were achieved when the positioner applied its maximum force of 8 N, respectively. We discuss the advantages of using this system in cryogenic applications, and estimate the ultimate performance of an ideal PZHS.