A simple application of the AC specific heat method to bulk samples

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
An AC specific heat method based on AC resistance heating and phase sensitive detection of the thermal modulation signal has been applied to bulk samples. The problems of thermal skin effects are avoided by operation at low modulation frequencies of less than 1 Hz. The behaviour of the sample and environment is well represented by a simple cooling law. The relative advantages of detection at the first and second harmonic of the heater voltage signal are outlined and results presented for gadolinium using both techniques. In this case parallel accumulation of critical specific heat and magnetic data is possible.