Multitasking between helium and magnets

Minus 269 degrees Celsius, gradually cooling down giant magnets whilst keeping an eye on everything at once: last summer, Regina Grün and Lukas Vogl from FRM II spent a week gaining new insights into the preparation of sample environments at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland.

Regina Grün (left) and Lukas Vogl (right) were able to see first-hand how the sampling environment at PSI works, pictured here with technician Paul Schurter (centre). © PSI

Together with the sample environment team at PSI, FRM II staff members Regina Grün and Lukas Vogl gained practical experience for a week. © PSI

The training was initiated by the group leader of the sample environment at FRM II, Dr Manuel Suarez. Within this comparatively small, specialised community, the idea arose to not only discuss technical concepts in the abstract, but to experience them directly in day-to-day work.

The coldest liquid on Earth

The pair worked within the PSI sample environment team under the leadership of Dr Marek Bartkowiak. “We were fully integrated into operations to prepare the sample environments optimally for the respective experiments,” explains Lukas Vogl. The focus was on superconducting magnets and cryogenic wet systems operated with liquid helium, which, at a temperature of -269° Celsius, is only about four degrees above absolute zero. “At FRM II, we mainly have experience with dry systems, such as closed cryostats, which are used to cool samples down significantly – both have their pros and cons. It was fascinating to see how differently certain challenges are tackled – we still benefit today from the experience gained at PSI,” says Lukas Vogl.

Patience required

A key part of the week involved the controlled cooling of complex magnetic systems. “There wasn’t really any theory in the traditional sense – we were always out and about with technicians or Marek,” says Regina Grün. “In the experimental environment, you need one thing above all else: a lot of patience. Cooling processes take a long time, so we didn’t just do one thing, but always several things in parallel."

Benefits of synergies

The knowledge transfer builds on the long-standing collaboration between the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) and the PSI and strengthens the direct technical exchange between the teams. “We now know the people, have exchanged contact details and can quickly and easily ask questions – that’s incredibly valuable, especially for new members of the community,” says Regina Grün. The cooperation is set to be further intensified in the long term – to the benefit of both research centers. In the future, further visits to other international institutes are also conceivable, particularly where new teams are being established.

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