Development and applications of sample controlled thermomicroscopy

Sample controlled thermal analysis techniques such as constant rate transformation analysis or stepwise isothermal analysis, where the transformation rate of the sample itself is used to control the experiment, are becoming increasingly important [1]. The measurements are normally carried out using changes in the sample mass, sample dimensions or in the evolved gas, as the property used to control the experiment, and enable reactions to be studied in greater detail than is possible using linear heating techniques. A new approach is described here where a thermomicroscopy system has been developed to enable the intensity of the light reflected or transmitted by the sample to be used as the controlling signal [2].