aNexus attoDRY800 

Quantum optics experiments require cryogenic temperatures in combination with optical access to the sample space. Most experimental setups contain numerous optical elements that need to be precisely arranged on an optical table to shape and prepare the incident light, as well as to efficiently collect and convert the emitted light from the sample. The available space on the optical table in such cases is of paramount importance to many complex setups. 

The revolutionary concept and design of the attoDRY800 optical cryostat present the perfect solution to satisfy these demanding requirements: it consists of an ultra low vibration cold breadboard platform which is fully integrated into an optical table. The cryocooler assembly is located in the otherwise unused space underneath. This unique design ensures a free workspace and unobstructed optical access to the cold sample from all directions on the optical table. Apochromatic objectives with high numerical aperture (NA=0.81-0.95) can either be integrated into the cryostat, into the vacuum shield, or put in close working distance next to the optical windows from the outside. This ensures extremely low drifts and optimal collection efficiency. 

Being a closed-cycle cryostat, the attoDRY800 is the perfect replacement for all optical helium flow cryostat setups, adding the huge advantage that it requires no liquid cryogens and thus minimizing running costs. In addition, a fully automated temperature control between 3.8 and 320 K conveniently enables unattended long measurement cycles. Most other off-the-shelf closed-cycle cryostats suffer from severe vibrations at the sample location, which typically are in the range of many microns. Thanks to our patented vibration isolation technique, the residual vibrations on the cold plate of the attoDRY800 were measured to be around 2.6 nm peak-to-peak (vertical direction) only. Hence, with the attoDRY800 optical cryostat even extremely sensitive measurements are possible. Its cold breadboard sample space is designed to host several of attocube’s patented nanopositioners, as well as complete microscope or photonic probe station solutions.