ABSTRACT
Mechanical vibrations produced by the cryocooler can be a significant issue for an increasing number of sensitive applications at low temperatures from ranging from above 4 K to less than 0.3 K. Positional drift is also a significant contributor to instability in sensitive optical applications. This chapter will provide an understanding of the sources and characteristics of cryocooler vibrations and drift as well as principles for the reduction of vibrations and drift for cryocooled applications. This chapter will also cover cryocooler vibration measurement techniques, information on thermal links and selected low temperature optical applications where stability is critical.
