Apparatus and methods for improving vibration isolation, thermal dampening, and optical access in cryogenic refrigerators

A cryogenic apparatus, comprising:

• a nested thermally insulated structure for holding a sample to be cooled;
• a cryo-cooler;
• and
• a thermal link connecting the nested thermally insulated structure and the cryo-cooler,
• wherein the nested thermally insulated structure comprises:
• a sample chamber for containing the sample to be cooled;
• a sample mount having an upper surface and a lower surface;
• a first tube coupler;
• a second tube coupler;
• an inner thermally insulated tube attached to the lower surface of the sample mount;
• and
• an outer thermally insulated tube attached to the inner thermally insulated tube via the first tube coupler and the second tube coupler,
• wherein:
• the sample chamber is disposed on a side of the sample mount opposite the inner and outer thermally insulated tubes,
• the upper surface of the sample mount forms a base of the sample chamber,
• a top portion of the sample chamber is disposed opposite the upper surface of the sample mount,
• a radial tube portion of the sample chamber connects the upper surface of the sample mount and the top portion of the sample chamber, and
• the outer thermally insulated tube surrounds the inner thermally insulated tube such that a point midway between the top and bottom of the inner thermally insulated tube is disposed between the top and bottom of the outer thermally insulated tube.