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Helium-3

Providing the rarest gas wherever you are

 

Helium-3, an essential molecule

One of the rarest gasses, helium-3 is stable, inert, nontoxic and nonflammable. Helium-3 has a wide range of applications. It is an essential molecule for neutron detection, dilution refrigerators, ultra low temperature physics research and aneutronic fusion.

3He is a light and non radioactive isotope of helium, obtained from the transformation of tritium. At a glance:

  • Isotopic purity level of 99.8%
  • Chemical purity level of 99.99%

 

A key component of dilution refrigerators

Dilution refrigerators are used by scientists to perform different kinds of experiments such as dark matter research. 3He is used as a cooling power, within the dilution refrigerator, to reach near-absolute-zero temperatures which reduces noise or interference in calculations.

 

 

3He and Quantum Computing

With unique properties, like a boiling temperature of 3.19K (- 270° Celsius), helium-3 allows to reach temperatures close to absolute zero that are necessary in quantum computers, allowing them to process exponentially more data compared to classical computers. The promise of quantum computing is accelerated development in many fields including the search for new drugs, the discovery of new materials, and even cyber defense.

Quantum Computing

 

Neutron Detection

Neutron detection commonly uses helium-3 as a reactive agent. Neutron detection is used by research in particle physics and science of materials. The most famous use of neutron detection is in security gates to detect radioactive materials and ensure border security.

 

Aneutronic Fusion

Aneutronic fusion is still at an experimental stage but is meant to be the next generation of power supply, promising to deliver an energy that should be less costly with no long-term nuclear waste. In this process driven by aneutronic reaction schemes, 3He is used as a fuel.

Our 3He

Technical specifications (Other options upon request)

Component  Description Content
Chemical purity Volume fraction ≥ 99.99 %
3He Isotopic enrichment Volume fraction > 99.9%
N2 Volume fraction ≤ 100 ppm
CO Volume fraction ≤ 6 ppm
O2 Volume fraction ≤ 10 ppm
Ar Volume fraction ≤ 6 ppm
CO2 Volume fraction ≤ 6 ppm
H2 Volume fraction ≤ 6 ppm
C2H6 Volume fraction ≤ 6 ppm
CH4 Volume fraction ≤ 6 ppm
3H2 Tritium Activity < 300 Bq/g

 

Our 3He offer

A flexible and seamless solution offering:

  • Customized logistic solution for a fast delivery,
  • Full logistic handled by Air Liquide,
  • 2-4 weeks total lead time,
  • On-demand packaging sizes and volume filled per cylinder
  • Several sizes of packaging from 0,4L to 5L.
Cylinder Size B04 B1 B5
Water Volume 0,4L 1L 5L
Maximum Gas contained 40L 100L 500L
Cylinder material Aluminium Aluminium Aluminium
Valve material Brass Brass Brass
Valve type CGA580 CGA580 CGA580
Height 242mm 335mm 530mm
Diameter 60mm 81mm 140mm
Opening Diameter 30mm 36mm 52mm
Certification TPED+DOT TPED+DOT TPED+DOT

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Science

Air Liquide is recognized as a partner of scientific research. We design and supply cold production, liquefaction, and cryogenic fluid storage and distribution systems for laboratories and large scientific equipment.

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