NIST researchers have developed a compact quantum refrigerator that can cool objects to extremely low temperatures using quantum physics. The refrigerator, which measures a few inches in size, can cool objects like a block of copper to 256 milliKelvin (mK) – much colder than standard cryogenic temperatures of 300 mK. The technology could enable compact, convenient cooling for advanced sensors used in quantum information systems, telescope cameras, and dark matter/dark energy research.
The refrigerator uses 48 tiny sandwiches of normal metal, insulating layer, and superconducting metal to cool objects. When a voltage is applied, the hottest electrons tunnel through the insulator to the superconductor, dramatically lowering the temperature of the normal metal and transferring energy away from the object being cooled.
NIST researchers previously demonstrated this basic cooling method but have now improved it to cool larger objects that can be easily attached and removed. They plan to boost the cooling power by adding more superconducting junctions and building a more rigid support structure. This work is supported by NASA.
Keywords: 1. Cooling, 2. Superconducting, 3. Refrigeration, 4. Cryogenic, 5. Nanotechnology
