At introduction, the X-COOLER represented a transformational technology development: for the first time users could make a choice between LN 2 detector cooling and mechanical cooling for the counting laboratory, based on value and convenience, rather than being driven to a costly LN 2-free solution by radiation hazard issues or remote location restrictions. The X-COOLER design, based on the ORTEC PopTop demountable detector capsule concept and featuring a flexible umbilical connection between the compact compressor and the cold head meant that many users rapidly converted from LN 2 to the X-COOLER. The figure to the left shows a PopTop detector capsule being attached to an X-COOLER cold head; a simple process achieved in seconds. Since introduction, several thousand X-COOLER systems have been deployed world-wide, along with several thousand more mechanically cooled ORTEC “Detective” instruments. Currently approximately three-quarters of all users of ORTEC HPGe detectors in counting laboratory applications choose to specify X-COOLER over traditional LN 2 cooling. There are more ORTEC HPGe detectors in operation today cooled by mechanical coolers than are cooled by all other mechanical coolers in total. ORTEC has by far the most experience as a supplier in this field.
