CALORIMETRIC SYSTEM

摘要

Apparatus and method for measuring the heat capacity of a sample (S) where a series of measurements are taken in succession. The apparatus comprises a sample holder (12), a temperature sensor (24), a sample heater (28) for providing a heat pulse upon receiving an electrical output from a first power supply (DC current source in the figure), an adiabatic heat shield (50) in which the sample holder (12) is positioned, and a heat shield electrical heater (51) which receives electrical power from a second power supply (DC current source in the figure). This electrical power being adjusted by a control device (computer in the figure), if necessary, from one measurement to the next in response to a sample temperature-versus-time change determined before and after a previous heat pulse so as to provide a subsequent sample temperature-versus-time change that is substantially linear before and after the subsequent heat pulse. Optionally, the sample (S) may be subjected to DC magnetic fields.