Title:

Sustainable Cryogenics for Nuclear Physics: The UNH Closed-Loop Helium Liquefier System for Polarized Targets

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) Polarized Target Group operates a sophisticated polarized target system essential for high-precision nuclear physics experiments. A critical challenge in operating such systems is the high consumption and increasing cost of liquid helium. To address this, we have integrated a dedicated closed-loop liquefier system that captures, purifies, and re-liquefies helium gas exhausted from the target cryostat. This presentation details the technical design and operational performance of the UNH closed-loop system as part of our ongoing research and development in target technology. By transitioning from a traditional ``boil-off to atmosphere'' model to a sustainable internal cycle, we have significantly reduced our environmental footprint and mitigated risks associated with global helium supply volatility. We discuss the efficiency of the liquefaction process, the maintenance requirements of the closed-loop infrastructure, and the long-term cost-benefit analysis. This system serves as a model for how medium-scale university laboratories can implement sustainable cryogenic practices without compromising the rigorous cooling requirements of high-energy physics instrumentation.

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