System, apparatus and method for pulse tube cryocooler

A pulse tube cryocooler, comprising:

• a glass substrate having a plurality of channels etched into a first surface, said plurality of channels defining at least one regenerator having a hot end and a cold end, at least one pulse tube having a hot end and a cold heat exchanger;
• wherein a first heat exchanger is disposed at the hot end of the regenerator and a second heat exchanger is disposed at the hot end of the pulse tube;
• and
• wherein a cold heat exchanger is disposed between and in fluid communication with the regenerator and the pulse tube.

A method of cooling a focal plane array (FPA) disposed in an integrated detector cooler assembly (IDCA) to an operating temperature, the method comprising:

• cooling the FPA to a desired operating temperature by providing a glass slide pulse tube cryocooler connected to the FPA, said glass tube cryocooler having first and second ends and a plurality of channels etched into a surface between said ends, the plurality of channels defining a heat exchanger positioned at the first end, an aftercooler positioned at the second end, a cold head disposed between the heat exchanger and the aftercooler, a pulse tube disposed between and in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and the cold head, and a regenerator disposed between and in fluid communication with the cold head and the aftercooler;
• wherein the etched surface of the glass substrate is bonded with a glass plate to enclose the plurality of channels to form capillaries for conducting and distributing a fluid;
• and
• wherein the regenerator is connected or connectable with an oscillating compressor which compresses or permits expansion of the fluid such that a temperature gradient is formed at the cold head to insulate the first and second ends and maintain the FPA at the desired operating temperature.