From 100 K to 10 mK: How Dilution Refrigerators work

Synopsis

Achieving temperatures close to absolute zero has opened new frontiers in condensed matter and quantum physics. Among the various cryogenic techniques, the dilution refrigerator has become the primary system used to reach the millikelvin regime. In this presentation, the fundamental principles behind its operation will be discussed, focusing on how the phase separation of a 3He–4He mixture enables continuous cooling below 1 K. The essential stages of the cooling cycle and the roles of key components, such as the still and mixing chamber, will be outlined. Through this overview, the importance of dilution refrigeration in enabling high-precision quantum experiments will be emphasized.