TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure provides analytical instruments, methods, and components. In particular embodiments, the present disclosure provides analytical instruments that can be used to cryogenically cool samples and analyze samples under those cryogenic conditions.

BACKGROUND

Analytical instruments have been utilized to cryogenically cool samples and then analyze those samples under those cryogenic conditions. These instruments provide many benefits for the analyst, including the ability to analyze samples at low Kelvin (K) temperatures. At these temperatures, the samples and the analysis of same can be subject to many laboratory influences, including laboratory vibrations, for example. Further, it is always a goal of this type of analysis to cool the sample to lower and lower temperatures. Currently, samples have been lowered to temperatures below 10 K. However, even lower temperatures are desired. The present disclosure provides analytical instruments, methods, and components that can be utilized to cryogenically cool samples to lower than 2.8 K or even lower than 0.8 K, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a mobile component comprising a cold source; a substantially fixed analysis component; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component.

Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a mobile analysis component; a substantially fixed component comprising a cold source; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component.

Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a cold source in thermal communication with an analysis component; and at least one pressure barrier defining a plurality of discrete masses maintained at different temperatures between the cold source and the analysis component.

Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a cold source in thermal communication with an analysis component; and a plurality of discrete masses maintained at different temperatures about a single thermal communication between the cold source and the analysis component.

Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a cold source in fluid communication with at least one analysis component; a pump assembly operably coupled to the cold source and the analysis component; at least a pair of conduits extending between the cold source and the analysis component; and another conduit extending between the analysis component and the pump assembly.

Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a cold source in fluid communication with at least one analysis component; a pump assembly operably coupled to the cold source and the analysis component; at least a pair of conduits extending between the cold source and the analysis component; and another conduit extending between the analysis component and the pump assembly.

