Course detail

Cryogenics

FSI-TK0Acad. year: 2026/2027

Basics of low temperature physics and cryogenics.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. Pavel Urban, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Physical Engineering (ÚFI)

Entry knowledge

Basic course of physics.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

When awarding the course credit, attendance at lectures and laboratory exercises is taken into account. To obtain the credit, students must attend at least 50% of the scheduled lectures and exercises. It is recommended to complete all teaching blocks due to their interconnection. In case of absence from theoretical classes, the student is required to make up the missed material through self-study.

Aims

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the fundamentals of low-temperature physics and technology, and to their applications in the design of cryogenic equipment for physical experiments, scientific research, medicine, energy, and industry.
Students will gain knowledge of physical phenomena and material properties at low temperatures (phase transitions, changes in thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties, superconductivity, superfluidity, etc.). They will also acquire basic skills for laboratory work at low temperatures in the range of 1.5 K to 300 K and an understanding of the principles of cryogenic system design.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Barron, R.F.: Cryogenic heat transfer, Taylor & Francis 1999, ISBN 1-56032-551-8
Jelínek, J., Málek, Z.: Kryogenní technika, VII.škola fyziky a techniky nízkých teplot, Luhačovice 1982, SNTL Praha 1982
Rotter Miloš: Fyzikální základy a technika nízkoteplotního experimentu, SNP Praha 1982

Recommended reading

Dúbravcová Viera: Vákuová a ultravákuová technika, Alfa , Bratislava 1992
Groszkowski Janusz: Technika vysokého vakua, SNTL Praha 1981
Šafrata, R.S., a kol. : Fyzika nízkých teplot, Matfyzpress, Universita Karlova 1998, ISBN 80-85863-19-7
Thermophysical Properties of Pure Fluids, počítačová databáze, NIST USA, 2000
Weisend, J.G. II, ed.by: Handbook of cryogenic engineering, Taylor & Francis 1998, ISBN 1-56032-332-9

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B-FIN-P Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
    3 year of study, summer semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

16 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Pavel Urban, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Properties of cryogenic liquids, principles of cooling, handling of cryogenic liquids, safety considerations.
  2. Methods for Achieving Low Temperatures. Liquefaction and storage of cryogenic gases.
  3. Physical Properties of Materials at Low Temperatures: specific heat, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, strength, brittleness, electrical conductivity, superconductivity, etc.
  4. Measurement Techniques in Low-Temperature Physics: temperature, pressure, flow rate, and magnetic induction measurements.
  5. Heat Transfer at Low Temperatures: conduction, convection, radiation, and thermal insulation in cryogenics.
  6. Low-Temperature Vacuum Technology: cryopumping, vacuum leak detection, and vacuum measurement.
  7. Design of Cryogenic Equipment: material selection, strength calculations, and joining technologies.
  8. Applications of Low Temperatures: medicine (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging, liquid oxygen), research (spectroscopy, space research), superconductivity applications, industry (material processing, food freezing), etc.

Laboratory exercise

10 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Pavel Urban, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Equipment of low temperatury laboratory, safety - excursion in laboratory
2. Work with cryoliquids (nitrogen, helium), mater properties at low temperatures
3. Detection of vacuum leaks, using of mass spectrometer
4. He liquefaction
5. Cryopumping