Provided is an apparatus and method for introducing a sample into a cryogenic system comprising, an airlock chamber, a sample path having a first end connected to the airlock chamber and a second end connected to a cryogenic helium bath, an equilibrator, inserted into the sample path and positioned between the airlock and the cryogenic bath and which allows for passage of a sample to the cryogenic helium bath, and a cooling unit to coupled to the equilibration to control the temperature of the equilibrator. A machine-readable medium, comprising instructions which when executed by a controller causes a sample to be positioned within the cryogenic system, is also provided.
