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Micro Cryogenic Coolers (MCC)

Overview

The Micro Cryogenic Coolers program aims to develop innovative technologies in the area of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) implementations of Micro Cryogenic Coolers, with the ultimate objective being the realization of micro-scale devices and sub-systems with unprecedented performance, attained via micro-scale targeted cryogenic cooling of only the needed volume/device to reduce both the size and power consumption required for cooling of selected components in DoD systems.

Cryogenic cooling has long been used to substantially increase the performance of systems important to the DoD.

Vision Statement

Cryogenic cooling has long been used to substantially increase the performance of systems important to the DoD. Among the applications that greatly benefit from operation at cryogenic temperatures are: cooled IR detectors for heat seeking missiles and night vision; low noise amplifiers (LNA's) for ultra-sensitive, long-range communications, such as needed for deep space applications; front-end passives in communication systems, again, for ultra-sensitive communications; a myriad of sensors that have substantially lower noise floors and improved stability when operated at cryogenic temperatures, including and especially sensors for inertial navigation; and next generation nano-scale devices, such as atom optical inertial sensors and timing references, single electron transistors, bio-sampling devices, and other nano-applications that operate best at cryogenic temperatures. Because of the rather large size and power requirements, the DoD is trying to circumvent the need for cryogenic cooling; however this oftentimes leaves the user with limited capabilities. Thus, it is highly desirable to develop a cryogenic cooling system that could be realized in a small size while consuming very little power.