A comparison of three types of pulse tube refrigerators - New methods for reaching 60 K

The three types of pulse tube refrigerator, namely the resonant, basic, and orifice designs, are compared with each other and with such common refrigerators as the Joule-Thomson and Stirling types, using an apparatus able to measure their intrinsic behavior from 30 to 300 K. Orifice pulse tubes are found capable of reaching 60 K temperature drops in a single stage. Additional advantages of the type are (1) a single, room-temperature moving part, (2) the use of moderate pressures and pressure ratios, (3) good intrinsic efficiency, and (4) the ability to operate several stages from the same pressure wave generator. The low refrigeration rate/unit mass flow means, however, that better regenerator units are required.