an enclosure adapted to be opened and closed, wherein the enclosure is airtight when closed;

a sample base positioned within the enclosure for receiving the sample;

a refrigerator attachment for attaching the sample cell to a refrigerated body of the cryogenically cooled environment;

a thermal connection between the sample base and the refrigerator attachment;

one or more airtight connectors for establishing electric connections between an inside and an outside of the enclosure;

a conduit extending between the inside and the outside of the enclosure, and through a structure of the enclosure;

a connector positioned at a first end of the conduit adjacent to the outside of the enclosure for connecting an inlet of a vacuum suction pump to the sample cell, the vacuum suction pump used to evacuate the enclosure when the enclosure is closed;

a closing valve for selectively allowing and preventing a flow of gaseous media through the conduit, wherein the closing valve comprises a closing member movable between: (i) an open position in which gaseous media is allowed to flow through the conduit, and (ii) a closed position in which gaseous media is prevented from flowing through the conduit; and

a piece of deformable sealing material compliant with vacuum and cryogenically cooled conditions arranged at a position along the conduit corresponding to a position of the closing valve, such that a portion of the closing member contacts the piece of deformable sealing material when in the closed position to create a seal.