Oxford Instruments NanoScience Optistat DN-V User manual

© Oxford Instruments Nanotechnology Tools Limited, 2016. All rights reserved.
Oxford Instruments
NanoScience
Optistat DN-V
Operators Manual
System Manual /Issue 2.0 /December 2020
nanoscience.oxinst.com

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Contents
1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................5
1.1 Copyright................................................................................................................................. 5
1.2 Statement of intended use ..................................................................................................... 6
1.3 Restrictions on use..................................................................................................................6
1.4 Maintenance and adjustment................................................................................................. 6
1.5 Warranty ................................................................................................................................. 6
1.6 Acknowledgements.................................................................................................................6
1.7 Technical support.................................................................................................................... 7
2 Health and safety ............................................................................................................................ 8
2.1 Disclaimer................................................................................................................................ 8
2.2 Disposal and recycling instructions......................................................................................... 8
2.2.1 WEEE ............................................................................................................................... 8
2.2.2 RoHS compliance ............................................................................................................ 9
2.3 Maintenance ...........................................................................................................................9
2.4 General hazards ...................................................................................................................... 9
2.4.1 Warning notices .............................................................................................................. 9
2.4.2 Caution notices ............................................................................................................... 9
2.5 Specific hazards.......................................................................................................................9
2.5.1 Hazardous voltages ......................................................................................................... 9
2.5.2 Low temperatures.........................................................................................................10
2.5.3 Pressure relief ...............................................................................................................10
2.5.4 Weight and lifting..........................................................................................................11
2.5.5 Asphyxiation..................................................................................................................11
2.5.6 Fire ................................................................................................................................11
2.5.7 Trip hazards...................................................................................................................12
2.5.8 Slip hazards ...................................................................................................................12
2.5.9 Temperature and voltage limits....................................................................................12
2.6 Safety equipment..................................................................................................................12
2.7 Risk assessments................................................................................................................... 13
3 System description........................................................................................................................ 14
3.1 The Optistat DN-V cryostat ................................................................................................... 14
3.2 Sample holders......................................................................................................................15
3.3 The MercuryiTC temperature controller ..............................................................................16
3.4 System wiring........................................................................................................................ 16

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3.5 Sensor calibrations................................................................................................................17
3.6 System components and layout............................................................................................18
3.7 Weights and dimensions.......................................................................................................18
4 System installation........................................................................................................................19
4.1 Unpacking the system...........................................................................................................19
4.2 Preparing the system for operation...................................................................................... 19
4.3 Loading the sample ...............................................................................................................19
4.4 Evacuating the OVC............................................................................................................... 19
4.5 Connecting to the MercuryiTC temperature controller .......................................................20
4.6 Reconditioning the sorb........................................................................................................ 20
5 System operation.......................................................................................................................... 23
5.1 Preparations.......................................................................................................................... 23
5.2 Cooling the system................................................................................................................23
5.3 Operation at base temperature............................................................................................24
5.4 Temperature control above base temperature....................................................................24
5.5 Controlling at a set temperature ..........................................................................................26
5.6 Operation above room temperature....................................................................................26
5.7 Changing the sample.............................................................................................................27
5.8 Warming up the system........................................................................................................27
5.9 Removing and refitting the OVC ...........................................................................................27
5.10 Changing sample holders...................................................................................................... 28
5.11 Changing system windows....................................................................................................28
6 Service and maintenance..............................................................................................................30
6.1 O-rings...................................................................................................................................30
6.2 Reconditioning the sorb........................................................................................................ 30
6.3 Window replacement ...........................................................................................................30
6.4 Troubleshooting....................................................................................................................30
7 Optistat DN-V specifications .........................................................................................................32
7.1 Performance .........................................................................................................................32
7.2 Electrical power .................................................................................................................... 32
7.3 Physical..................................................................................................................................32
7.4 Technical exclusions and assumptions .................................................................................32
8 Appendices....................................................................................................................................33
8.1 Checking the wiring...............................................................................................................33
8.2 Cleaning and general care.....................................................................................................33

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1Introduction
This manual is designed to introduce you to the Optistat DN-V, manufactured by Oxford Instruments.
This manual contains important information for the safe operation of your system. You must read this
manual before operating the system for the first time.
In addition to this manual for the Optistat DN-V, further manuals and documentation will have been
supplied with the system. These additional manuals and documents detail the other components of
the system, as well as important safety information, as shown in Table 1-1. Please ensure you have
reviewed the information supplied in all the manuals before you attempt to operate your system.
Documentation
Format
MercuryiTC manual
Electronic copy on USB
Practical cryogenics
Electronic copy on USB
Safety matters
Electronic copy on USB
Optistat DN-V QuickStart guide
Electronic copy on USB
Optistat DN-V test results
Electronic copy on USB
Optistat DN-V safety sheet
Electronic copy on USB
MercuryiTC safety sheet
Hard copy
Table 1-1: Documentation supplied with the Optistat DN-V.
Please keep all the manuals supplied with your system and make sure that you regularly check for
updated information and incorporate any amendments. If you sell or give away the product to
someone else, please give them the manuals too.
These are the Original Instructions.
1.1 Copyright
Copyright © Oxford Instruments Nanotechnology Tools Ltd, Tubney Woods, Abingdon, OX13 5QX, UK.
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright in this document is owned by Oxford Instruments Nanotechnology Tools Ltd. Any person is
hereby authorised to view, copy, print and distribute this document subject to the following
conditions: the document may be used for informational purposes only; the document may be used
for non-commercial purposes only; any copy of this document or portion thereof must include this
copyright notice.
This document is provided “as is” without any warranty of any kind, either express or implied,
statutory or otherwise; without limiting the foregoing, the warranties of satisfactory quality, fitness
for a particular purpose or non-infringement are expressly excluded and under no circumstances will
Oxford Instruments be liable for direct or indirect loss or damage of any kind, including loss of profit,
revenue, goodwill or anticipated savings. All such warranties are hereby excluded to the fullest extent
permitted by law.
Oxford Instruments will not be responsible for the accuracy of the information contained in this
document, which is used at your own risk and should not be relied upon. The information could include

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technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made to the information
contained herein; these changes will be incorporated in new editions of the document.
1.2 Statement of intended use
The equipment has been designed to operate within the process parameter limits that are outlined in
the user manual. The equipment is intended to be installed, used and operated only for the purpose
for which the equipment was designed, and only in accordance with the instructions given in the
manual and other accompanying documents. Nothing stated in the manual reduces the responsibility
of users to exercise sound judgement and best practice. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure the
system is operated in a safe manner. Consideration must be made for all aspects of the system’s life-
cycle including, handling, installation, normal operation, maintenance, dismantling, decontamination
and disposal. It is the user’s responsibility to complete suitable risk assessments to determine the
magnitude of hazards.
The installation, usage and operation of the equipment are subject to laws in the jurisdictions in which
the equipment is installed and in use. Users must install, use and operate the equipment only in such
ways that do not conflict with said applicable laws and regulations. If the equipment is not installed,
used, maintained, refurbished, modified and upgraded as specified by the manufacturer, then the
protection it provides could be impaired. Any resultant non-compliance damage, or personal injury
would be the fault of the owner or user.
Use of the equipment for purposes other than those intended and expressly stated by Oxford
Instruments, as well as incorrect use or operation of the equipment, may relieve Oxford Instruments
or its agent of the responsibility for any resultant non-compliance damage or injury. The system must
only be used with all external covers fitted.
1.3 Restrictions on use
The equipment is not suitable for use in explosive, flammable or hazardous environments. The
equipment does not provide protection against the ingress of water. The equipment must be
positioned so that it will not be exposed to water.
1.4 Maintenance and adjustment
Only qualified and authorised persons should service or repair this equipment. Under no
circumstances should the user attempt to repair this equipment while the electrical power supply is
connected.
1.5 Warranty
The Oxford Instruments customer support warranty is available to all our customers during the first
12 months of ownership from date of delivery. This warranty provides repair to faults that are a result
of manufacturing defects at Oxford Instruments NanoScience.
1.6 Acknowledgements
All trade names and trademarks that appear in this manual are hereby acknowledged.

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1.7 Technical support
If you have any questions, please direct all queries through your nearest support facility (see below)
with the following details. Please contact Oxford Instruments before attempting to service, repair or
return components.
System type:Optistat DN-V
Serial number: The Sales Order (SO) number and/or other identifiers of your system.
Contact information: How we can contact you, email/telephone details.
Details of your query: The nature of your problem, part numbers of spares required, etc.
Europe, Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI)
OINS, Tubney Woods, Abingdon, Oxon, OX13 5QX, UK
Tel: [phone] (sales)
Tel: [phone] (support)
Fax: [phone] (sales and support)
Email: nano[email protected] (sales)
Email: [e-mail] (service and support)
Web: www.oxford-instruments.com
Americas
OINS, 300 Baker Avenue, Suite 150, Concord, MA 01742, USA
Tel: [phone] (sales and support)
Fax: [phone] (sales and support)
Email: nano[email protected] (sales)
Email: [e-mail] (service and support)
Web: www.oxford-instruments.com
Asia
OINS, Floor 1, Building 60, No.461, Hongcao Road, Shanghai, 200233, China
Tel: [phone] (sales)
Tel: [phone] (support)
Email: nano[email protected] (sales)
Email: [email protected] (service and support)
Web: www.oxford-instruments.cn
Japan
OINS, IS Building, 3-32-42, Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 140-0002, Japan
Tel: [phone] (sales)
Tel: [phone] (support)
Fax: [phone] (sales and support)
Email: [e-mail] (sales, service and support)
Web: www.oxford-instruments.jp

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2Health and safety
Before you attempt to install or operate your system, please make sure that you are aware of all safety
precautions listed in this manual together with the warnings and cautions set out in other documents
supplied with the system.
All cryogenic systems are potentially hazardous, and you must take precautions to ensure your own
safety. The general safety precautions required when working with cryogenic systems are given in
Oxford Instruments' Safety Matters document. We recommend that all users should read this
document, become thoroughly familiar with the safety information provided and be aware of the
potential hazards.
It is the responsibility of customers to ensure that the system is installed and operated in a safe
manner. It is the responsibility of customers to conduct suitable risk assessments to determine the
nature and magnitude of hazards.
2.1 Disclaimer
Oxford Instruments assumes no liability for use of any document supplied with the system if any
unauthorised changes to the content or format have been made.
Oxford Instruments' policy is one of continued improvement. The company reserves the right to alter
without notice the specification, design or conditions of supply of any of its products or services.
Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this document and all
accompanying documents is accurate and up to date, errors may occur. Oxford Instruments shall have
no liability arising from the use of or reliance by any party on the contents of this these documents
(including this document) and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, excludes all liability for loss or
damages howsoever caused.
Oxford Instruments cannot accept responsibility for damage to the system caused by failure to
observe the correct procedures laid down in this manual and the other manuals supplied with the
system. The warranty may be affected if the system is misused, or the recommendations in the
manuals are not followed.
2.2 Disposal and recycling instructions
You must contact Oxford Instruments (giving full product details) before any disposal begins. It is also
important to check with the appropriate local organisations to obtain advice on local rules and
regulations about disposal and recycling.
2.2.1 WEEE
Oxford Instruments Nanotechnology Tools Ltd is a scheme member for end of product life disposal.
The scheme is operated by:
B2B Compliance, Emerald House, Cabin Lane, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 2DZ
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.b2bcompliance.org.uk

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2.2.2 RoHS compliance
All the materials and components used in the manufacture of the Optistat DN-V are in compliance
without exemption with the EU Directive 2011/65/EU for Restrictions of Hazardous Substances
(RoHS). This is based on information provided by Oxford Instruments suppliers and is accurate to the
best of our knowledge.
2.3 Maintenance
Observe the necessary maintenance schedule for the system. Consult Oxford Instruments if you are
unsure about the required procedures. Only qualified and authorised persons must service or repair
this equipment.
2.4 General hazards
The following general hazards must be considered when planning the site for installation and
operating the equipment. Please take notice of the following relevant warnings.
2.4.1 Warning notices
Warning notices draw attention to hazards to health. Failures to obey a warning notice may result in
exposure to the hazard and may cause serious injury or death. A typical warning notice is shown
below.
WARNING
A warning triangle highlights danger
which may cause injury or, in extreme
circumstances, death.
2.4.2 Caution notices
Caution notices draw attention to events or procedures that could cause damage to the equipment,
may severely affect the quality of your measurements, or may result in damage to your sample or
measurement apparatus. Failure to obey a caution notice may result in damage to the equipment. A
typical caution notice is shown below.
CAUTION
Caution notices highlight
actions that you must take to prevent damage to the
equipment. The action is explained in the text.
2.5 Specific hazards
Safety information that applies specifically to the Optistat DN-V is provided in this manual. Where
additional components are supplied as part of a system, please read and follow all safety information
in the respective manuals and take additional precautions as necessary.
2.5.1 Hazardous voltages
HAZARDOUS VOLTAGE
Contact with hazardous voltage can cause death, severe injury or burns. Ensure that
a local electrical earth (ground) connection is available at the installation site.

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PROTECTIVE EARTH
The cryostat and any other parts of the system fitted with earthing points must always
be connected to protective earth during operation.
Parts of the system carry high voltages that can cause death or serious injury. Ensure that a local
electrical earth (ground) connection is available.
The electrical supply to the system must include an isolation box to ensure that mains electrical power
to the system can be isolated. The isolation box must allow the supply to be locked OFF but must NOT
allow the supply to be locked ON.
2.5.2 Low temperatures
COLD OBJECTS
Contact with cold objects and cryogens can cause serious injury to the skin. Skin may
adhere to cold objects. Ensure that any cryogenic or coolant delivery systems are
designed to prevent contact with the cold components.
Consider the hazards of low temperatures when planning the installation of the system. Proper safety
equipment, including hand and eye protection, must be made available to all personnel expected to
handle cryogenic liquids.
2.5.3 Pressure relief
CLOSED VESSELS
Closed vessels in the system are protected by pressure relief valves that exhaust
directly to atmosphere unless otherwise stated.
Do not tamper with any of the pressure relief devices fitted to the system or attempt to modify or
remove them. Also ensure that the outlets of the relief devices are not obstructed. The correct
operation of these relief valves is critical to the safety of the system. All closed vessels in the system
are protected by pressure relief valves, as described in Table 2-1.
Location
Description
Setting
Outer Vacuum Chamber
Relief valve to atmosphere
0.25 bar differential
Table 2-1: Pressure relief valve information.
The system’s pumping valve for the outer vacuum chamber has in-built pressure relief plates, as
shown in Figure 2-1. This allows the system’s vacuum chamber to vent to atmosphere if it becomes
over-pressurised. A restoring spring provides the force required to re-seal the cap (red) automatically
when the pressure drops.

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Figure 2-1: The pressure relief valve on the Optistat DN-V.
Do not modify or tamper with these safety features in any way. Additionally, ensure that nothing can
restrict the movement of any of the pressure relief valves. The relief valves should not vent during
normal operation of the system.
2.5.4 Weight and lifting
HEAVY OBJECT
Incorrectly lifting heavy objects can cause severe injury. Use
appropriate lifting
equipment, operated by fully trained personnel, when handling heavy system
components.
Appropriate lifting equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be provided for the
duration of the system installation and should always be used whilst operating or moving the system.
2.5.5 Asphyxiation
ASPHYXIATION
Nitrogen can displace the oxygen from air and cause death by asphyxiation. Ensure
that adequate ventilation is provided.
Areas where these chemicals are stored or used must be well ventilated to avoid the danger of
asphyxiation. Oxygen level detection equipment should be installed in suitable locations to warn
personnel if the oxygen concentration falls below a threshold value. Take precautions to prevent
spillage of liquid cryogens.
2.5.6 Fire
FLAMMABLE GAS
Atmospheric oxygen can condense on cryogenically cooled objects. Oxygen can cause
flammable substances to ignite in the presence of heat or arcing, risking severe injury.
Rooms where cryogenic liquids are being handled must be designated as no smoking areas. While
liquid helium and nitrogen do not support combustion, their low temperature can cause oxygen from
the air to condense on surfaces and may increase the oxygen concentration in these areas. Oxygen
enrichment may cause spontaneous combustion.

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2.5.7 Trip hazards
TRIP HAZARDS
Poorly routed cables and pumping lines can be trip hazards and have the potential to
cause accidents. Such accidents can result in both damage to the system and injury
to personnel.
Where cables and lines are required, their routings should be considered when planning the
installation of the system. The cables and pumping lines of the system should be routed away from
walkways and away from areas of common use to prevent the hazards.
2.5.8 Slip hazards
SLIP HAZARDS
During normal operation, ice may form on parts of the system. Upon warm up, this
ice may melt and pool by the system. Water on the floor has the potential to cause
accidents. Such accidents can result in both damage to the system and injury to
personnel.
Drip trays should be placed appropriately around the system to catch any water run-off. Additionally,
warning signs should be placed around the system.
2.5.9 Temperature and voltage limits
The Optistat DN-V system is supplied with a MercuryiTC temperature controller. Safety features for
the temperature controller are described in the MercuryiTC manual supplied with the system. You
should ensure that you understand and comply with all safety warnings and cautions.
The MercuryiTC will have been set up in the factory to prevent you from accidentally exceeding the
maximum safe operating temperature of the cryostat, and to limit the heater voltage to a safe level.
If you are planning to use an existing temperature controller, or a controller made by another
manufacturer, you should take the same precautions. The recommended values for the temperature
controller limits are shown in Table 2-2.
Control Limit
Control Value
Heater voltage
40 V
System temperature
510 K
Table 2-2: MercuryiTC system control limit values
TEMPERATURE & VOLTAGE LIMITS
If you do not safeguard the system with control limits, it is possible to cause serious
damage to the system.
2.6 Safety equipment
The following items are recommended for safe operation of any system:
•Personal protective equipment, including thermally insulated gloves, face protection, body
protection and protective footwear. Cryogens can act like water, soaking into clothing and
causing severe burns.

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•Hazard warning signs, barriers or controlled entry systems to ensure that personnel
approaching the system are aware of the potential hazards. This precaution is especially
important if your system includes a superconducting magnet.
•Oxygen monitors should be fitted in the laboratory to warn personnel if the concentration of
oxygen in the air falls below safe levels.
2.7 Risk assessments
It is the responsibility of customers to perform their own risk assessments before installing, operating
or maintaining the system. Risk assessments must obey regulations stipulated by the local regulatory
authority.

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3System description
The Optistat DN-V is a liquid nitrogen cryostat and can be held at temperatures between 77 K and
500 K using a MercuryiTC temperature controller. A sample can be mounted on a sample holder which
is thermally linked to the system’s heat exchanger providing cooling during operation. Up to five
windows can be fitted to the Optistat DN-V providing optical access to the sample holder with an
optical fnumber of 1.0.
The cryostat’s liquid nitrogen is stored in a reservoir, which surrounds the central heat exchanger
support tube, but is thermally isolated from it. Liquid nitrogen is supplied to the heat exchanger
through a capillary tube connected to the reservoir. The flow of liquid is aided by gravity, but the flow
rate is controlled by the exhaust valve at the top of the cryostat. The heat exchanger is fitted with a
sensor and heater, and the MercuryiTC temperature controller is used to balance the cooling power
and heater voltage to set the required temperature.
The reservoir and sample holder are thermally isolated from the room temperature surroundings by
the outer vacuum chamber (OVC). This space is pumped to a high vacuum before the cryostat is cooled
down, and the vacuum is maintained by a small sorption pump fitted to the reservoir. This sorb
continuously pumps the residual gases from the OVC to maintain good thermal isolation. The sorb is
fitted with a heater which is used to drive the adsorbed gases from the activated charcoal when the
system is at room temperature.
A range of window materials are available for the Optistat DN-V, covering most of the electromagnetic
spectrum.
3.1 The Optistat DN-V cryostat
A schematic of the Optistat DN-V is shown in Figure 3-1. The main features of the cryostat are:
•The outer vacuum chamber (OVC) with four radial windows and one axial window.
•A liquid nitrogen reservoir.
•The nitrogen exhaust flow needle valve.
•System heat exchanger with heater and sensor.
•A pressure relief device on the OVC.
•A diagnostic 10-pin connector for temperature control.
•An experimental 10-pin connector for experimental measurements.
•An experimental harwin pin ring above the sample holder.

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Figure 3-1 Optistat DN-V cryostat schematic.
3.2 Sample holders
There are two sample holders supplied with the Optistat DN-V. The first is a plain reflectance sample
holder, as shown in Figure 3-2 (Left), several small samples can be mounted on to this sample holder
at once. The second is a transmission sample holder, as shown in Figure 3-2 (Right), which has a 15 mm
diameter aperture and includes a sample retaining clamp.
Figure 3-2: Optistat DN-V reflectance (Left) and transmission (Right) and sample holders.

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3.3 The MercuryiTC temperature controller
A MercuryiTC is used as the temperature controller for the system. The MercuryiTC monitors and
controls the thermometry of the system and adjusts the system’s heater voltage to hold the sample
holder at a defined temperature.
The MercuryiTC is configured with measurement cards in specific locations. This configuration is
detailed in Table 3-1.
Slot
Card Type
Function
Connection
Main Board
Sensor & Heater
Temperature Control
Diagnostic 10-Pin
1-8
Not used
n/a
n/a
Table 3-1: MercuryiTC configuration for the Optistat DN-V.
3.4 System wiring
The Optistat DN-V cryostat is fitted with two 10-pin connectors on the OVC top plate. One is used for
system control and the other is for experimental wiring. The diagnostic connector is used for the
connection to the sample space heater and sensor as well as the system’s sorb. The pin configuration
for the 10-pin diagnostic connector is shown in Figure 3-3. The seal is held in place by a black nut, this
nut should not be removed, unless access to the wiring is required.
Figure 3-3: Pin configuration for the 10-pin connector.
The wiring configuration for the diagnostic connector is set out in Table 3-2, as per the pin
configuration shown in Figure 3-3.
Pin
Function
Polarity
Type
A
Heat Exchanger Heater
H+
Firerod heater
(20 Ωnominal)
B
H-
C
Heat Exchanger Sensor
V+
Platinum resistance
thermometer
(100 Ωnominal)
D
V-
E
I+
F
I-
H
Not Used N/A N/A
J
L
Sorb Heater
S+
Sorb heater
(150 Ωnominal)
K
S-
Table 3-2: Pin configuration for the control and diagnostic 10-pin connector.

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The experimental connector is wired to the Harwin pin ring above the sample holder. The pin
configuration for the 16-pin Harwin pin ring is shown in Figure 3-4. On the Optistat DN-V, pin one of
the Harwin pin ring is denoted by a black dot.
Figure 3-4: Pin configuration for the 16-pin Harwin pin ring.
The wiring configuration for the experimental connector is set out in Table 3-3, as per the pin
configurations shown in Figure 3-3 and Figure 3-4.
Connector Pin
Harwin Ring Pin
Wire
A
1
34 SWG Cu
B
2
34 SWG Cu
C
3
40 SWG Cu
D
4
40 SWG Cu
E
5
40 SWG Cu
F
6
40 SWG Cu
H
7
40 SWG Cu
J
8
40 SWG Cu
L
9
40 SWG Cu
K
10
40 SWG Cu
-
11 - 16
No connection
Table 3-3: Pin configuration for the experimental 10-pin connector.
3.5 Sensor calibrations
The calibrations for the calibrated sensor on the system, a platinum resistance thermometer, will have
been loaded onto the MercuryiTC in the factory when tested. The platinum resistance thermometer
is an industrial grade miniature temperature sensor, suitable for cryogenic use over the range of 70 K
to 900 K. It is the ideal choice where temperature measurement or control is required down to liquid
nitrogen temperatures.
The sensor conforms to BS 1904:1984 Class A band 4, with the temperature/resistance relationship
shown in Table 3-4. Class A band 4 refers to the manufacturing resistance tolerance of the sensor.

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Specification
Value
Temperature Range
70 - 900 K
Stability/year
130 mK
Reproducibility
60 mK
Nominal Resistance
100 Ω at 273 K
138.5 Ω at 373 K
Table 3-4: Platinum resistance thermometer temperature / resistance relationship.
File “RP51.dat” is provided with the system information on your USB stick. This file contains the
generic calibration data for the PT100 sensor.
3.6 System components and layout
A schematic showing the connections between the components of the system is shown in Figure 3-5
Figure 3-5: System components and layout.
3.7 Weights and dimensions
The dimensions and weights for the main system components are given in Table 3-5.
Component
Length / mm
Width / mm
Height / mm
Weight / kg
Optistat DN-V Cryostat
175
175
450
5
MercuryiTC
310
485
90
8
Table 3-5: Weights and dimensions of system components.

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4System installation
The setup of an Optistat DN-V is a straightforward procedure requiring no specialist training.
4.1 Unpacking the system
Carefully remove the cryostat and all the accessories from the packing case and check the packing list
to make sure that you have all the components. Examine the system to make sure that it has not been
damaged since it left the factory. If you find any signs of damage, please contact Oxford Instruments
immediately.
To run this system, the following components are required:
•The Optistat DN-V cryostat.
•MercuryiTC temperature controller.
•Sensor & heater cable - CQB0090.
•Sorb heater cable with adaptor - CWA0123.
•A supply of liquid nitrogen (customer provided).
•High vacuum pumping system and lines (customer provided).
4.2 Preparing the system for operation
Choose a suitable position to operate the cryostat safely, and if necessary, arrange for it to be
supported so that it cannot accidentally fall.
4.3 Loading the sample
To load a sample, the cryostat OVC must first be removed. Follow the procedure detailed in Section
5.9 to first remove the OVC and provide access to the sample stage. The sample can now be loaded,
and any desired wiring connected. If a change in sample holder is required, follow the procedure
detailed in Section 5.10. Once the sample has been loaded, continue following the procedure in
Section 5.9 to replace the cryostat OVC.
4.4 Evacuating the OVC
Before running the system, the OVC must be pumped to high vacuum to ensure it provides the
required thermal insulation. When the system is new, all the materials inside the vacuum space are
likely to outgas quickly, and this will affect the quality of the vacuum. The system’s sorb will pump
these gases effectively; however, it has a limited capacity. Therefore, the OVC should be pumped
thoroughly and the sorb should be reconditioned, as described in Section 4.6, before each cooldown,
especially when the cryostat is new.
To evacuate the cryostat’s vacuum space, first connect the pumping system to the DN16NW OVC
evacuation port. Before you open the valve to the cryostat vacuum space, evacuate the pumping line
to 10-4 mbar. Then open the valve by turning the relief valve cap anti-clockwise a few turns. You can
then begin pumping the cryostat vacuum space to a high vacuum (lower than 10-4 mbar). If possible,
leave it to pump-down overnight. Once pumping is complete, turn the relief valve cap clockwise to
close the valve. Once the valve has been firmly closed, vent the pumping line and disconnect the
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES
The closed vessel of the system is protected by a pressure relief device. Ensure that
the pressure relief device is not obstructed in any way during system setup.