Quantum Design PPMS® DynaCool™ Measurement System

Cryogen free Physical Property Measurement System

The popular Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS) from Quantum Design is now available in a truly cryogen-free package. The PPMS DynaCool uses a single two-stage Pulse Tube cooler to cool both the superconducting magnet and the temperature control system, providing a low vibration environment for sample measurements. It offers continuous low temperature control and precise field and temperature sweep modes.

The PPMS DynaCool also comes standard with an integrated cryopump, which makes it compatible with all available PPMS measurement options, or any other user-designed experiments, right out of the box!

Technical Service and Application Support is available for the Quantum Design products – download the PPMS DynaCool service plan here

The PPMS DynaCool also comes standard with an integrated Cryopump used to pump out the sample space to a vacuum of < 10^-4 Torr. This makes the PPMS DynaCool compatible with all the available options, or any other user-designed experiments, right out of the box.

FEATURES

No need for liquid cryogens
Temperature range of 1.8 K – 400 K
9 tesla and 14 tesla magnets available
Continuous Low-Temperature Control – maintains temperatures below 4.2 K and offers smooth temperature transitions when warming and cooling through 4.2 K
Controlled temperature Sweep Mode
Fully automated operation of available PPMS applications/options
Built-in Cryopump for high vacuum applications
New electronics built using CAN architecture for improved reliability
Standby mode conserves power while requiring only a short recovery time

Options

VIBRATING SAMPLE MAGNETOMETER (VSM)

The VSM enables measurement of a sample’s magnetic moment as a function of temperature or magnetic field. Magnetic phase transitions and hysteretic behavior are quickly resolved with typical acquisition times for a single datum around 1 second.

Noise levels of less than 6·10^-7 emu at 300 K are achieved using a lock-in measurement technique to isolate the sample signal from external mechanical and electronic noise
A temperature sensor integrated within the coil set provides local sample thermometry via exchange gas coupling
The optional Large Bore Coil Set enables an even wider variety of sample holders with minimal loss of sensitivity

VSM OVEN

The VSM Oven allows for conventional VSM measurements in the temperature range of 300 – 1000 K. A special alumina sample holder with an integrated resistive heater and temperature sensor locally heat and sense the sample temperature.

User kit comes standard with high temperature Zircar cement and copper radiation shields for sample mounting
Noise levels are less than 6·10-6 emu at 300K

VSM OVEN

User kit comes standard with high temperature Zircar cement and copper radiation shields for sample mounting
Noise levels are less than 6·10-6 emu at 300 K

FIRST ORDER REVERSAL CURVE (FORC) SOFTWARE FOR VSM

First Order Reversal Curve (FORC) measurements and their subsequent analysis provide additional insights into the magnetic reversal mechanisms of samples that conventional major hysteresis loops cannot. The families of curves generated can reveal signatures of particular magnetic reversal mechanisms.

Compatible with any Quantum Design VSM configuration
FORC distributions can be displayed in real-time during a measurement

FIBRE OPTIC SAMPLE HOLDER (FOSH) FOR VSM

The VSM Fibre Optic Sample Holder (FOSH) enables light to be delivered to the VSM sample space during a measurement.

Specialised sample rod and holder transmits a wide spectrum of light
Standardised fibre connection ensures compatibility with a variety of light sources

PRESSURE CELL (MAGNETOMETRY)

The pressure cell option for magnetometry is manufactured by HMD, a leading Japanese supplier of pressure cells. A simplified design requires neither copper sealing rings or a hydraulic press to achieve the maximum available pressure of 1.3 GPa.

Included manometer materials are tin and lead
BeCu construction affords a minimal, uniform magnetic background

TORQUE MAGNETOMETRY

The torque magnetometer measures a sample’s magnetic moment through the application of a static magnetic field to generate a torque on a small cantilever. The torsion is measured using piezoresistive elements to study the moment as a function of magnetic field strength, temperature, or angular orientation with respect to the field.

Noise levels in the measured torque are 1·10-9 N·m (high sensitivity cantilever)
Integrated calibration loop on the cantilever chip

DILUTION REFRIGERATOR

The Dilution Refrigerator option allows access to a temperature range of 4 K – 50 mK, the lowest temperature attainable in a PPMS. Seamless integration means temperature control is just as simple as in the base PPMS, with all gas handling and manifold operations automatically controlled by the MultiVu software.

Base temperature (50 mK) is typically achieved in about 5 hours when cooling from room temperature
Closed cycle system ensures the valuable 3He/4He gas mixture is not lost in normal operation
Compatible measurement options include AC Susceptibility, Heat Capacity, and Electrical Transport

HELIUM-3 REFRIGERATOR

A range of nearly four decades in temperature (350 K – 0.4 K) is accessible with the Helium-3 Refrigerator. Seamless integration means temperature control is just as simple as in the base PPMS, with all gas handling and manifold operations automatically controlled by the MultiVu software.

Base temperature (0.4 K) is typically achieved in about 2 hours when cooling from room temperature
Closed cycle system ensures the valuable ³He gas is not lost in normal operation
Compatible measurement options include Heat Capacity, and Electrical Transport

ADIABATIC DEMAGNETISATION REFRIGERATOR (ADR)

The minimum achievable temperature (at zero field) in the PPMS is readily extended down to 100 mK with the ADR. Using the PPMS magnet to leverage the magnetocaloric effect in paramagnetic salt cools samples to 100 mK, and electrical transport properties can be measured as the temperature drifts back up to the nominal PPMS base.

Base temperature (100 mK) is typically achieved in about 3 hours when cooling from room temperature
Uncontrolled drift up to 1.9 K typically lasts about 2 hours
Compatible with all electrical transport options

SUB-KELVIN MEASUREMENTS

Several measurement options have been adapted to work in sub-Kelvin environments, extending the range across which certain properties can be measured:

Electrical Transport (ETO/Resistivity): Available for ADR, Helium-3, DR
Heat Capacity: Available for Helium-3, DR
AC Susceptibility: Available for DR

HEAT CAPACITY

High-precision microcalorimetry experiments can be performed using the Heat Capacity option to measure a sample’s heat capacity as a function of temperature. Measurements in a static applied magnetic field are also possible using the automated field calibration function of the software.

Typical addenda signal of 0.2 μJ/K at 2 K, where signal resolution is 2 nJ/K
Software automates the collection of addenda (background) signal and performs the necessary subtraction for determining the sample’s heat capacity
Integrated data post-processing tools enable high-resolution sampling of sharp first-order transitions

HEAT CAPACITY

Typical addenda signal of 0.2 μJ/K at 2 K, where signal resolution is 2 nJ/K
Software automates the collection of addenda (background) signal and performs the necessary subtraction for determining the sample’s heat capacity
Integrated data post-processing tools enable high-resolution sampling of sharp first-order transitions

THERMAL TRANSPORT OPTION (TTO)

Thermoelectric materials can be rapidly characterised using the TTO to simultaneously measure a sample’s thermal conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and electrical resistivity. A continuous data acquisition mode allows for higher density curves to be collected in less time to increase throughput for a typically time-consuming measurement.

The thermoelectric figure of merit ZT is automatically calculated for fast and convenient data evaluation
Included sample mounting supplies allow for a wide variety of materials to be measured

DILATOMETER

Subtle changes in a sample’s lattice expansion/contraction due to changes in temperature or magnetic field are readily characterised using the dilatometer option. An innovative fused-silica construction drastically minimises background signals compared with traditional copper-cell setups, and no costly absolute capacitance bridge is required.

Sample dilation signals less than 10 pm can be resolved (at 2 K)
Bulk coefficients of thermal expansion of magnetostriction are automatically calculated and reported
High purity copper sample and reference data provided

AC RESISTANCE (ETO)

The Electrical Transport Option (ETO) enables AC resistance measurements of samples using a 4-probe lead configuration. For samples with higher resistances, a 2-probe high impedance mode is also available. Signals from two channels can be collected simultaneously.

Measure resistances of 10 μΩ – 10 MΩ in a standard 4-probe configuration
Resistances of 2 MΩ – 5 GΩ can be measured in the high-impedance 2-probe configuration
Automated I-V curve collection can be used to screen for ohmic contacts

DC RESISTANCE

DC resistance on up to three channels using a standard puck can be measured using the DC Resistivity Option.

Measure resistances of 10 μΩ – 5 MΩ in a standard 4-probe configuration
Source currents between 2 nA – 8 mA
Configurable bridge parameters to limit the voltage, current, or power at the sample for protecting sensitive devices, films, etc.

VAN DER PAUW-HALL TRANSPORT

Improved accuracy in both resistivity and Hall coefficient measurements is possible using the van der Pauw technique. This Option utilises a switching controller to automatically collect data necessary to accurately calculate parameters such as carrier concentration and sheet resistance for a uniformly thick sample of arbitrary shape.

Configurable MultiVu sequence commands automatically source current and measure voltage for a series of lead permutations, in either the standard van der Pauw or Hall geometries
An integrated IV-Curve utility allows the user to confirm Ohmic nature of contacts as needed during a measurement

HORIZONTAL ROTATOR

The Horizontal Rotator enables a transport sample to be rotated over a full 360° in the presence of an applied magnetic field. An automated indexing procedure and encoder ensures accurate angular positions and the on-board thermometer monitors the temperature in close proximity to the sample.

Rotate a sample between -10° – 370° to change the orientation of the applied magnetic field relative to the installed sample
Motor available in Standard Resolution (0.0133°/step) and High Resolution (0.0011°/step) versions

PRESSURE CELL (TRANSPORT)

The Transport Pressure Cell Option for the PPMS is manufactured by ElectroLab, a leading Japanese supplier of pressure cells. It enables up to two 4-probe measurements (typically for the sample and a manometer) of electrical transport at pressures as high as 2.7 GPa.

Includes manometer materials of tin and lead
Data can be collected with any PPMS-compatible QD transport option

RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY SYSTEM

Raman spectra from samples in the variable temperature and magnetic field environment of the PPMS are readily captured using MultiVu. Integrated optics reduce elastic scattering signal to resolve signal in the low-wavenumber regime with the included imaging spectrograph.

532 nm laser excitation wavelength
Used in conjunction with the OMFP for sample position control

NANOSC FMR SPECTROMETERS

Broadband FMR spectroscopy allows for measurements continuously spanning several 10’s of GHz. Measurements over a wide frequency range allow for significant improvements in accurately extracting a variety of material parameters not accessible by static measurement techniques.

Turn-key FMR spectrometer with easy to use software interface
Can quantify effective magnetisation (Meff), anisotropy (K), gyromagnetic ratio (γ), damping (α), inhomogeneous broadening (ΔHO), exchange stiffness (A), and inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE) voltage

MULTI-FUNCTION PROBES

For advanced users looking to build custom experiments inside the PPMS, QD’s MFPs provide an interface with the integrated chamber wiring and also simplify the process of bringing external connections (electrical, optical, etc.) in from the top of the probe. A number of variants are available:

Types A, B, and M provide different socket configurations for electrical access
Type C only includes the probe with baffles and no electrical interface
Photoconductivity Variant includes an integrated fibre feedthrough
CryoFMR Variant works with the NanOsc CryoFMR Spectrometer

OPTICAL MULTI-FUNCTION PROBE (OMFP)

Optical access to the sample chamber of the PPMS is readily attained using the OMFP. An integrated camera imaging system and pizeo-positioner capsule make identifying and navigating to a region of interest on the sample straightforward.

Camera can resolve features less than 5 μm in size
Positioning capsule allows for movement in the x, y, and z axes with a full range of 3 mm in each direction
Two four-probe channels available for correlating optical data with electrical transport measurements

OPTICAL MULTI-FUNCTION PROBE (OMFP)

Camera can resolve features less than 5 μm in size
Positioning capsule allows for movement in the x, y, and z axes with a full range of 3 mm in each direction
Two four-probe channels available for correlating optical data with electrical transport measurements

LIGHT SOURCES

For experiments requiring illumination inside the PPMS sample space, two broadband xenon light sources are available:

The TLX120Xe utilises a 100 W source and integrates a motorised monochromator such that the light wavelength can be selected using a sequence command in MultiVu
The MLS 300 W source includes a manual selection filter wheel for passing pre-determined wavelengths of light