Cryogenic Cable

Cryogenic Cable

For high-frequency signals, Lake Shore provides various coaxial cables: ultra-miniature coaxial cables and semi-rigid coaxial with a stainless-steel center conductor. We also offer the robust CryoCable™.

Ultra-miniature coaxial cable — type SC and SS

• Very flexible
• Long flex life
• Available with stranded copper conductors (SC) or stranded 304 stainless-steel conductors (SS)

Ultra-miniature coaxial cable is for use when a strong and flexible cable is needed. Type SC is recommended when low conductor resistance is a prime consideration. Type SC and type SS are mechanically the most flexible due to their braided construction. Type SS is recommended for use when both shielding and low thermal losses are important.

Semi-rigid coaxial cable — type SR

• Easily bent, coiled, stripped, machined, soldered, or connected without impairing performance
• Solid center conductor provides the optimum geometrical surface for transmission
• Low standing wave ratio (SWR) with a dielectric controlled to exacting tolerances
• Low thermal conductivity (≈0.4 W/(m · K) at 4.2 K)*
• Matching minimizes reflective power loss
• Provides shielding isolation for virtually no extraneous signal pickup
• Tubular outer conductor offers minimum size and maximum conductor integrity; stainless steel jacket can be soldered directly to circuit boards
• 37 AWG, silver-plated copper-weld steel center conductor

*Thermal conductivity at low temperatures is dominated by the copper cladding around the center conductor

This cable transmits and receives high-speed, high-frequency microwave signals. It is typically used for transmission lines in cryogenic-vacuum test systems.

CryoCable™ — type CRYC

• Robust: the NbTi wire cores are strong and fatigue resistant, and the cable overbraid of 304 stainless steel adds significant strength and crush resistant
• Low heat link due to all-metal alloy and Teflon® construction
• Solderable: the CuNi wire surface is easy to solder with conventional rosin fluxes
• Cryo compatible: all Teflon® (PFA) insulation is heat-strippable for ease of preparation

CryoCable™ is a robust, 4-wire cable for use in cryogenic environments to room temperature. The cable is designed around 32 AWG (203 µm) diameter superconductive wires consisting of a NbTi core (128 µm diameter) and a Cu-10% Ni jacket.

For more information, including specifications, charts, and cable diagrams, visit the Cryogenic Cable page on the Lake Shore website.