Improved accessibility to the microkelvin temperature regime is important for
future research in quantum materials; for quantum information science; and for
applications of quantum sensors. Here we report the design and performance of a
microkelvin platform based on a nuclear demagnetization stage, engineered and
well optimized for operation on a standard cryogen-free dilution refrigerator.
PrNi5 is used as the dominant refrigerant. The platform provides a large area
for mounting experiments in an ultralow temperature, low electromagnetic noise
environment. The performance is characterized using current sensing noise
thermometry. Temperatures as low as 395 μK have been reached, and a
protocol has been established in which it is possible to operate experiments
below 1 mK for 95% of the time, providing an efficient cryogen-free microkelvin
environment for a wide range of science applicationsComment: 8 pages, 5 figure