High-Performance Nuclear Demagnetization Refrigerator Reaching 50 $μ$K

Abstract

Research in the deep sub-mK regime around 0.1 mK may open new opportunities in condensed matter physics in light of recent rapid progress in quantum technologies and quantum materials. Here, we report the design and performance of a nuclear demagnetization system that provides efficient access to the deep sub-mK regime for a wide range of experiments, using a standard wet dilution refrigerator with a medium-sized copper nuclear stage. We show that the temperature measured by a Pt NMR thermometer reaches 50 $μ$K and that the refrigerator can maintain 100 $μ$K for more than ten days. Remarkably, even with only 12 hours of precooling, the refrigerator cools into the deep sub-mK regime and can maintain 100 $μ$K for more than three days, providing sufficient time for sample measurements. Numerical analyses indicate that the copper nuclear-spin system is cooled to about 18 $μ$K, whereas a local heat leak to the thermometer limits the thermometer temperature to about 50 $μ$K. These features establish the system as a practical platform for efficient experiments in the deep sub-mK regime.