We propose the acquisition of specific technological equipment for the adaptation and safety control of the IAC infrastructures dedicated to the realization of tests in cryogenics and high vacuum of large scientific instrumentation.

The increase in the diameter of the telescopes implies a significant increase in the size of their instruments. The dimensions of the instruments currently being designed are well above those that can be handled by the cryogenic and high vacuum infrastructures available in the IAC. Cryogenic astrophysics instrumentation requires a large number of tests and verifications of its individual mechanisms and components, as well as of the entire instrument once it is assembled.

These tests must be carried out in conditions of high vacuum and cryogenics that offer high safety, both to people and to the instrument itself.

The funds requested here will make it possible to expand and complement the infrastructure of the IAC to carry out R & D & I activities linked to instrumentation for large telescopes. One of the first instruments that will benefit from the resulting performances will be HARMONI, the first light instrument for the future Extremely Large Telescope (ELT).