We describe a temperature-regulated sample holder of the x-ray spectro
meter IRIS. The refrigerator which cools the sample holder uses a clos
ed helium gas cycle. Working temperatures from 70 to 320 K can be obta
ined when the electron beam is on. Tests demonstrate the ability of th
e system to produce high-resolution spectra. (C) 1996 American Institu
te of Physics.