Continuous improvement and product development is key in our industry. Part of my role in the New Product Introduction (NPI) team is to explore the next steps for Triton. We take on board the market research, looking at what our customers say and what they want to be doing with a product. As Triton is already in production, we’re now focused on further optimising the system to meet our customer needs through increased cooling powers and improved experimental access.

The other side to my role is working towards measurement-ready systems, particularly for quantum computing. This market has really grown, and we have developed cold low pass filters, high density coax and sample protect switching units which can all be used with Triton in this field. Part of this is working directly with customers to produce application notes that showcase the cutting edge research performed using the Triton system.

Harriet, Quantum Engineer

Oxford, UK

One of my previous roles at Oxford Instruments was as a Manufacturing Engineer while the Triton product line was being developed. Prior to Triton our dilution refrigerator system was the Kelvinox (which we still sell), which used liquid cryogens to cool the system down to 10 millikelvin. The trouble with liquid cryogens is that they require special training to use, are getting more costly to acquire and need to be continually replenished as the liquid helium boils off.

In 2007, we acquired a company based in Munich with a very early stage, cryo-free dilution refrigerator. This new system used a mechanical cooler, removing the need for liquid cryogens. With the use of automation, these systems allow the operator to just press a button for cool down, and after 24 hours the system will be cold at 10 millikelvin.

I was part of the project team which transferred the refrigerator from Munich back to Oxford. We had to figure out how it was built, how it operated and how we could use elements from the Kelvinox in this new Cryofree system. That’s how we created Triton.

Justin, Operational Excellence Leader

Oxford, UK

When I joined the business, the Triton was already part of our product portfolio. The initial challenge in my market was to convince customers to move over from conventional dilution refrigerators to our new Cryofree^® system, highlighting the advantages it gave in terms of ease of use and available space.

When compared to a conventional Kelvinox system the Triton has far more space because the diameter doesn’t need to be kept to a minimum to minimize the boil-off of cryogenic liquids. Having a bigger sample space enables academics and researchers to do experiments they couldn’t do before, allowing them to put more experimental wiring and bigger devices onto the system.

I love the challenge of dealing with different people each day. Working for a global company means you can really benefit from other people’s experience and expertise. 

Christoph, Sales Engineer, Central Europe

Nuremberg, Germany

I’ve been involved in a number of product developments of Triton. In relation to Triton, I primarily offer legal advice around contracts for supply, development and collaborations, but I also help provide a general sense check of projects. For example, over the years, as we’ve developed Triton, we have wanted to place it into university laboratories, so it could be used in practice. Part of my role in this situation is to ensure that the intellectual property developed belongs to us, whilst the prototype is loaned to the university to allow it to further its research. For me, it’s thinking about how the practical arrangements of, say, a testing phase are going to work as part of the development of the project and then capturing that in a contract.

Even as a lawyer, I don’t feel that my role begins and ends at drafting contracts. I never know what might happen and things are always coming in that surprise me.

Andy, Lawyer

Oxford, UK