Course detail
Cryogenics
FSI-TK0 Acad. year: 2026/2027 Summer semester
Basics of low temperature physics and cryogenics.
Language of instruction
Czech
Number of ECTS credits
3
Supervisor
Department
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.
The study programmes with the given course
Programme B-FIN-P: Physical Engineering and Nanotechnology, Bachelor's, elective
Type of course unit
Lecture
16 hours, optionally
Syllabus
- Properties of cryogenic liquids, principles of cooling, handling of cryogenic liquids, safety considerations.
- Methods for Achieving Low Temperatures. Liquefaction and storage of cryogenic gases.
- Physical Properties of Materials at Low Temperatures: specific heat, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, strength, brittleness, electrical conductivity, superconductivity, etc.
- Measurement Techniques in Low-Temperature Physics: temperature, pressure, flow rate, and magnetic induction measurements.
- Heat Transfer at Low Temperatures: conduction, convection, radiation, and thermal insulation in cryogenics.
- Low-Temperature Vacuum Technology: cryopumping, vacuum leak detection, and vacuum measurement.
- Design of Cryogenic Equipment: material selection, strength calculations, and joining technologies.
- 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 hours, compulsory
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