Picojoule and submillisecond calorimetry with micromechanical probes

Abstract
The experimental limits of micromechanical calorimetry at ambient conditions are demonstrated. In the investigation of rotator phase transitions of n alkanes we have obtained a heat sensitivity of 500 pJ for a sample mass of about 7 pg with a time resolution of 0.5 ms. The time resolution is restricted by the thermal response of the bimetallic cantilever. A problem in the precise quantification of the transition enthalpies is heat transport through the atmospheric environment. A calibration of the apparatus constant is proposed to overcome this problem.

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