Microkelvin Laboratory

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Microkelvin Laboratory was created in 1988 for research at temperatures below 1 milliKelvin. Made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation and the State of Florida, the Microkelvin Research Laboratory is the largest ultra-low temperature laboratory in the world. In addition to two bays completed first, the third bay is now in operation. The completion of the third bay as a high capacity nuclear refrigerator was part of the NHMFL proposal in 1990. The facility was completed for user operation in 1994-95.

SPECIAL FEATURES OF MICROKELIVN LABORATORY

A number of innovative design features have been developed for the Microkelvin facility. The building consists of three experimental rooms, bay1, bay2, and bay3. (Bay 3 is a NHMFL High B/T facility.)

Each of these bays is able to accommodate a 15-foot dewar. The dewars are supported by 13-foot concrete tripods whose feet are anchored in 5-ton concrete blocks independent of the building in order to isolate the research apparatus from mechanical vibrations.

In addition each experimental area is located inside a welded steel and copper shielded room (the size of a large bank vault) to screen out electromagnetic disturbances.

Generators in the facility exclusively supply clean uninterrupted electrical power for measurements.

Helium bath levels in all bays are monitored continuously via Cryonet. According to these monitored levels, helium is supplied to the researchers by the UF Cryogenic Services for their convenience.

VIEWS OF THE LAB

A number of innovative design features have been developed for the Microkelvin facility. The building consists of three experimental rooms, bay1, bay2, and bay3. (Bay 3 is a NHMFL High B/T facility.)
	Each of these bays is able to accommodate a 15-foot dewar. The dewars are supported by 13-foot concrete tripods whose feet are anchored in 5-ton concrete blocks independent of the building in order to isolate the research apparatus from mechanical vibrations.
	In addition each experimental area is located inside a welded steel and copper shielded room (the size of a large bank vault) to screen out electromagnetic disturbances.
	Generators in the facility exclusively supply clean uninterrupted electrical power for measurements.
	Helium bath levels in all bays are monitored continuously via Cryonet. According to these monitored levels, helium is supplied to the researchers by the UF Cryogenic Services for their convenience.