Cryogenic experiences at the ELBE accelerator

The superconducting linear accelerator ELBE (Electron Linac for beams with high Brilliance and low Emittance) at the Forschungszentrum Rossendorf has a wide variety of experimental applications ranging form nuclear spectroscopy over x-ray to infrared FEL experiments. The two superconducting accelerator modules of ELBE and in the future a superconducting photo injector are connected to a 200 W at 1.8 K cryogenics plant. The presentation will give an overview of the ELBE cryogenics system and will focus on operation experience with the superconducting cryogenics modules and of the cryogenic plants. Specific problems of fill level stability, helium pressure stability and cool down procedures of the cryomodules will be presented. Specific problems of the ELBE helium plant concerning purity, maintenance and reliability will be discussed, too.