ROCKY MOUNTAIN SECTION OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
                              &
           IEEE LASERS AND ELECTROOPTICS SOCIETY


                        Oct. Meeting

Date:  Thursday, 26 Oct. 2000
Time:  7:00 PM refreshments, 7:30 PM talk
Place: National Institute of Standards and Technology
       325 Broadway, Boulder, CO
       Room 1107


Title: Design and Predicted Performance of an Optical 
Cryocooler for a Focal Plane Application


       Gary Mills
       Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
       Boulder, CO



Abstract:

Optical refrigeration by fluorescence is a new concept in 
refrigeration that represents a potentially revolutionary 
advance in small cryocoolers. It uses anti-Stokes 
fluorescence to remove heat from a glass or crystal that is 
pumped with laser light.

We have completed a numerical model of the cooling process 
and we used this to design an optical crycooler  for a focal 
plane cooling application. Such a cryocooler does appear 
feasible and has several advantages when compared to 
conventional devices, including small size, very long life 
(no moving parts), zero vibration, zero electromagnetic 
interference (EMI), and potentially low cost.

Performance estimates of the device are presented based on 
the known performance of the cooling material and a detailed 
thermal model. The performance is compared to existing 
mechanical and thermoelectric coolers.


Biography:

NA