Advances in Cryogenic Sorption Cooling

Advanced infrared and sub-mm wavelength instruments require the use of detector assemblies with improved sensitivity and background noise performance that can only be achieved at cryogentic temperatures. For many spaceborne missions currently in development, the high cost of achieving improved performance has led to lifetime requirements in excess of ten years, in addition to stringent requirements for vibration, size, weight, power, and temperature. Continued research in sorption cooler technology has resulted in cryocooler designs that offer competitive performance and long life. The substantial progress achieved in the past 3 years is leading to a Space Shuttle flight demonstration of this technology in January 1995. This paper updates an earlier review, by this author, of the subject by describing recent advances in the development status of sorption coolers, materials, and component technologies for spaceborne applications.