Refrigerating systems for the big CERN bubble chamber

A combined helium-hydrogen refrigerator has been installed for cooling the new CERN bubble chamber at Geneva. This article describes the cool-down of the bubble chamber and magnet, as well as emergency operation and control of the refrigerator. Besides the choice of basic conception and circuit, the plant components are dealt with too. The function of the bubble chamber and the development of the CERN proton synchrotron are described in order to facilitate understanding of the relationship between the Sulzer cryogenic plant and the CERN bubble chamber. Installations and equipment not manufactured by Sulzer are also mentioned. (1 refs).