Note: A simple system for low-temperature experiments in a large-volume multi-anvil press

Area of Science:

• High-pressure physics
• Materials science
• Cryogenic engineering

Background:

• Multi-anvil presses are crucial for simulating deep Earth conditions.
• Achieving sub-room temperatures at high pressures is challenging.
• Existing cooling systems can be complex and difficult to operate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simplified and user-friendly cooling system for a 3000-ton multi-anvil press.
• To enable experiments at temperatures below room temperature under high-pressure conditions.
• To maintain or improve cooling efficiency compared to previous designs.

Main Methods:

• A new system design utilizing a steel ring around module wedges.
• Incorporation of liquid nitrogen (LN2) flow to flood the pressure module interior.
• Use of O-rings for sealing LN2 while allowing press compression.

Main Results:

• The system successfully achieved temperatures around 220 K.
• The design is simpler, easier to fabricate, and more user-friendly.
• Cooling capability is comparable to previous, more complex designs.

Conclusions:

• The developed cooling system effectively provides sub-room temperatures for high-pressure experiments.
• The simplified design enhances practicality and accessibility for researchers.
• Thermal equilibrium is achieved through a balance of heat removal and influx.