Comparative evaluation of erbium and lead regenerator materials for low temperature cryocoolers Original Research Article

A new erbium-based alloy has been tested as an environmentally benign replacement for lead in the second stage regenerator of low temperature (8–16 K) cryocoolers. This work focuses on obtaining improved performance of a Gifford–McMahon cooler by material modification in the second stage regenerator. Properties and experimental results for an improved second stage regenerator using erbium-based alloys are presented. A slight improvement in performance was observed using the erbium regenerator material over lead.