 Most previous mid-infrared instruments have used liquid helium as a cryogen; one of the requirements of CanariCam is that it should require no expensive and difficult to handle cryogens.CanariCam will use a two-stage closed cycle cryocooler system to cool the cold optics and cryostat interior down to approximately , and the detector itself to around , the temperature at which the detector works most efficiently.CanariCam is operational as of December 3rd, 2009.