Small-sized High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) radiofrequency coils are used in a number of micro-magnetic resonance imaging applications and demonstrate a high detection sensitivity that improves the signal-to-noise ratio. However, the use of HTS coils could be limited by the rarity of cryostats that are suitable for the MR environment. This study presents a magnetic resonance (MR)-compatible and easily operated cryogen-free cryostat based on the pulse tube cryocooler technology for the cooling and monitoring of HTS coils below the temperature of liquid nitrogen.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe investigate numerically, for the first time, the thermal counterflow of superfluid helium past a cylinder by solving with a finite volume method the complete so-called two-fluid model. In agreement with existing experimental results, we obtain symmetrical eddies both up- and downstream of the obstacle. The generation of these eddies is a complex transient phenomenon that involves the friction of the normal fluid component with the solid walls and the mutual friction between the superfluid and normal components.
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