Supply and Installation of a 1.8 to 300 K Cryostat to the University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham invited tenders for supply of a variable temperature cryostat system, for carrying out experiments in condensed matter physics. The cryostat should be able to maintain any temperature between 1.8 and 300 K. Extra points will be awarded for guaranteed temperatures below 1.8 K. The cryostat system should contain a superconducting magnet that can apply fields of up to 12 T, of either polarity. There should be a radiation shield between the sample space and the magnet, so that the magnet remains superconducting and able to apply a field of 12 T even when the sample space is held at a temperature of 300 K; this radiation shield is in general the defining feature of a variable temperature system. The tenderer should supply a power supply for this magnet. The system is to be a dry system, that is, it should operate without replenishment of any cryogenic liquids. The tenderer is expected to offer all of the pumps, compressors, reservoirs, and filters necessary for operation of such a system. The tenderer should pay particular attention to the sample space requirements, which are larger than for typical transport measurements. The system should include three measurement inserts: a standard insert, a sample-in vacuum insert, and a helium-3 insert. The helium-3 insert is intended to allow temperatures down to 0.3 K. Overall budget for this item is up to £280,000.00, excluding VAT. The tenderer should also specify an option for reaching £400K, excluding VAT (in separate quotations). This project may be funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) or; - European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) or; - Research Councils UK (RCUK), the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils.