Thales Cryogenics RM5-61/03 Stirling Rotary Cooler 730mW 77K 1/4in Cold Finger

Thales Cryogenics RM5-61/03 Stirling Rotary Cooler 730mW 77K 1/4in Cold Finger

The Thales Cryogenics RM5-61/03 is a Stirling-cycle rotary cryocooler designed to cool infrared detectors and small dewar assemblies to cryogenic temperatures. It uses a rotary Stirling thermodynamic cycle to achieve a cooling capacity of 730 mW at 77K (20°C ambient), making it suitable for cooling small IR focal plane arrays and detector dewars in scientific, defense, and aerospace applications. The unit integrates a rotary compressor/expander motor with an aluminum mounting flange and delivers cooling via a 1/4-inch diameter cold finger.

Specifications & What's Included

• Manufacturer: Thales Cryogenics (France)
• Model / Part Number: RM5-61/03
• Serial Number: 186
• Revision: ADT A
• Type: Stirling Rotary Cryocooler
• Cooling Capacity: 730 mW @ 77K / 20°C ambient
• Cold Finger Diameter: 1/4 inch
• Dewar compatibility stats: 130 mW, 250 J @ 20°C / 77K
• Mounting: Aluminum bracket/baseplate with circular bolt-hole flange
• Connector: Braided cable with multi-pin gold-contact connector (9-pin style)
• PCB interface board integrated on motor body with solder terminals and purple lead wires
• Condition tag on label: CONT.(INOP) — unit was tagged inoperative
• Included: Cooler assembly with mounting bracket and attached cable/connector

Applications

Stirling rotary cryocoolers of this type are used to cool infrared (IR) detectors, focal plane arrays (FPAs), and small laboratory or field dewar assemblies to cryogenic operating temperatures — typically 77K (liquid nitrogen equivalent). They are common in thermal imaging systems, night vision equipment, IR spectroscopy instruments, and satellite or airborne sensor payloads where closed-cycle mechanical cooling replaces the need for expendable liquid cryogens. Thales Cryogenics (formerly part of Thomson-CSF and later Thales Group) has been a major European supplier of cryocoolers for defense and scientific imaging systems. The RM5 series was designed for integration into compact detector dewar cooler assemblies (DDCAs) used in military thermal sights, infrared cameras, and related electro-optical systems. Units like this are also sought for laboratory research setups, cryogenic test benches, and as replacement or spare parts for existing cooled detector systems.