Automatic 300-4 K temperature cycling apparatus

The apparatus described here automatically cycles small samples between 300 and 4 K by alternately raising and lowering the sample through the neck of a commercial liquid helium storage Dewar. A bellows, which is pressurized by the helium boil-off gas, provides all of the required mechanical motion. By utilizing the cooling available from the boil-off gas, liquid helium helium consumption is limited to 0.03 l/cyc for a 12-g sample. Cycle times can be as short as 5 min.