Mini-Dilatometer
Super compact high-resolution capacitance dilatometer

The great advantage of the new type of measuring cells is based on a unique combination of powerful design, production technology and high level of manufacturing quality.

Size and Dimensions
footprint: 14 mm × 15 mm; height: 16 mm; weight: 13 g

Absolute resolution
@ low Temperature (Kelvinox-Systems (0.01 K up to 6 K)): ΔL = 0.01 Å
@ PPMS ΔL = 0.01 Å

Range of operation
Temperature range: 10 mK < T < 320 K
Magnetic field range: At least up to 38 T (max. tested field)

Measurable sample size
footprint (max.): (2.3 mm × 6 mm) or Ø = 3.3 mm
height: Less than 1 mm up to 2.75 mm

Materials
Dilatometer-parts: copper beryllium
Insulating pieces; washers: vespel; sapphire

Options
+ Any Cryostat: Dilatometer + attachments
+ PPMS: Dilatometer (can be rotated) complete with PPMS-probe and cables + software
+ Dilution Refrigerator Insert for the PPMS DynaCool: complete with two adapters, aluminium flange with built-in vacuum tight Fischer connectors, coaxial cables to connect Fischer connectors with capacitance bridge, software, coaxial cables for the inside of the DR Insert are supplied, but must be installed on its own in consultation with QD.

Mini-Stress-Dilatometer
Super compact high-resolution stress capacitance dilatometer

A comparison of the mini-stress dilatometer with the almost zero pressure mini-dilatometer: Each dilatometer consists of four main parts: (A) bottom part, (B) main body, (C) cover, and (D) sample-adjusting tool. To apply additional uniaxial stress, just the main body (B) is different and has to be exchanged. The stress cells in the main body contain four springs with a thickness of 0.5 mm instead of two springs with a thickness of 0.25 mm. Size and Dimensions, Absolute resolution, Range of operation, Measurable sample size and used materials are exactly the same as for the Mini-Dilatometer.

Size and Dimensions
footprint: 14 mm × 15 mm; height: 16 mm; weight: 13 g

Absolute resolution
@ low Temperature (Kelvinox-Systems (0.01 K up to 6 K)): ΔL = 0.01 Å
@ PPMS ΔL = 0.01 Å

Range of operation
Temperature range: 10 mK < T < 320 K
Magnetic field range: At least up to 38 T (max. tested field)
Applied force: from 50 up to 65 N
max. uniaxial stress: 4 kbar for cuboid sample of (0.4 mm)2 cross section
Measurable sample size
footprint (max.): (2.3 mm × 6 mm) or Ø = 3.3 mm
height: Less than 1 mm up to 2.75 mm

Materials
Dilatometer-parts: copper beryllium
Insulating pieces; washers: vespel; sapphire

Options
Any Cryostat: Dilatometer + attachments
PPMS: Dilatometer (can be rotated) complete with PPMS-probe and cables + software
Dilution Refrigerator Insert for the PPMS DynaCool: complete with adapter, cables + software, coaxial cables for the inside of the DILUTION REFRIGERATOR INSERT are supplied, but must be installed on its own in consultation with QD.

Standard-Dilatometer
Compact and miniaturized high resolution capacitance dilatometer

Innovative patent-pending production method allows for an unprecedented resolution in a dilatometer of this compact size.




Size and Dimensions
footprin: 20 mm × 26 mm; height: 34 mm; weight 45 g

Absolute resolution
@ low Temperature (Kelvinox-Systems (0.01 K up to 6 K)): ΔL = 0.02 Å
@ PPMS ΔL = 0.01 Å

Range of operation
Temperature range: 10 mK < T < 320 K
Magnetic field range: At least up to 30 T (max. tested field)

Measurable sample size
footprint (max.): (3.5 mm × 10 mm) or Ø = 5 mm
height: Less than 1 mm up to 5 mm

Materials
Dilatometer-parts: copper beryllium
Insulating pieces; washers: vespel; sapphire

Options
Any Cryostat: Dilatometer + attachments
PPMS: Dilatometer complete with PPMS-probe and cables + software

Stress-Dilatometer
Uniaxial stress capacitance dilatometer for high-resolution thermal expansion and magnetostriction

Size and Dimensions
footprin: 20 mm × 26 mm;; height: 41 mm; weight 52 g

Absolute resolution
@ low Temperature (Kelvinox-Systems (0.01 K up to 6 K)): ΔL = 0.02 Å
@ PPMS ΔL = 0.01 Å

Range of operation
Temperature range: 10 mK < T < 320 K
Magnetic field range: At least up to 30 T (max. tested field)
Applied force: from 40 up to 75 N
max. uniaxial stress: 3 kbar for cuboid sample of (0.5 mm)2 cross section

Measurable sample size
footprint (max.): (3.5 mm × 10 mm) or Ø = 5 mm
height: Less than 1 mm up to 5 mm

Materials
Dilatometer-parts: copper beryllium
Insulating pieces; washers: vespel; sapphire

Options
Varity of Cryostats: Stress-dilatometer + attachments
PPMS: Dilatometer complete with PPMS-probe and cables + software



Thermal expansion coefficient divided by temperature α/T measured along the c- and a-axis as a function of temperature at different uniaxial stresses applied parallel to the measurement direction. The stress was stepwise increased by reducing the samples cross-section.

Working environment

Our dilatometers can be used in a wide range of temperature. They were tested and operated down to extremely low temperature (10 mK). The maximal operation temperature is determined by the thermal capability of the insulating pieces of vespel and the used coaxial cables. So far, dilatometers were only tested at temperatures just above room temperature. To achieve the best possible results the dilatometers have to be operated in a steady flowing inert gas atmosphere, where the dielectric constant of the medium does not change with temperature (e.g. helium, nitrogen, clean and dry air, vacuum). The operation in flow cryostats or directly in cryogenic liquids (helium) is not recommended. Our dilatometers have been successfully operated in most commonly measurement systems, e.g. in the Quantum Design PPMS under helium atmosphere or in an Oxford Instruments Kelvinox dilution refrigerator under vacuum. For all these systems, we offer the matching accessories for suitable mounting.

Selected Applications
1. PPMS (Physical Property Measurement System by Quantum Design)
2. Kelvinox™ Dilution Refrigerator by Oxford Instruments
3. Exchange Gas cryostat

In-situ PPMS-Dilatometry probe - Key Features

Sample Space Parameters: samples up to 2.75 mm can be measured
Operational Range: 1.8 to 350 K, 0 to 16 T
Possible Resolution: 0.01 × 10-10 m
Manual In-situ rotation (rotation axis normal to the direction of applied field) of the sample within the cell between -90° and +90° inside of the PPMS enables systematic anisotropy studies.


The change in length of a 1 mm large NbP single crystal at 2 K is shown as a function of applied magnetic field; quantum oscillations in the length change due to the de Haas-van Alphen effect can clearly be seen. The field was swept in a DynaCool System with 10 Oe/sec.
Options for PPMS and PPMS DynaCool: Mini-Dilatometer or Mini-Stress-Dilatometer (can be rotated in-situ) complete with PPMS-probe and coaxial cables to connect probe with capacitance bridge + software.

Mini-Dilatometers for PPMS DynaCool Dilution Refrigerator - Key Features

Sample Space Parameters: samples up to 2.75 mm can be measured
Operational Range: 0.06 to 4 K, 0 to 16 T
Possible Resolution: 0.01 × 10-10 m
Mini ans Mini-Stress Dilatometer can be used

Thermal expansion:
Left picture: The very sharp λ-Type anomaly at TN = 0.88 K shows the very high sensitivity of the dilatometer. The inset of right pichture demonstrates the extreme high resolution of the mini-dilatometers of ΔL = 0.01 Å when mounted on a DR-insert of PPMS DynaCool system.


Magnetostriction:


Top picture: Phase diagram of YbAlO3: Blue-, orange- and green-colored areas show the three magnetically ordered phases. Lower picture: Magnetostriction coefficient λ(B) measured on a 1.74 mm long single crystal along the c-axis at T = 0.065 K with Mini-Dilatometer in DR-insert. The magnetic fiels was applied along the α-axis.

Option for Dilution Refrigerator Insert for the PPMS DynaCool: complete with two adapters (to mount the dilatometer (a) perpendicular and (b) parallel to the applied magnetic field) + aluminium flange with built-in vacuum tight Fischer connectors + two coaxial cables to connect the Fischer connectors to the capacitance bridge + software. Miniature coaxial cables for the inside of the DR Insert are supplied, but must be installed on its own in consultation with QD.

Site Notice

Dr. Robert Kuechler
Frankenstraße 13
01309 Dresden (Germany)

Fon: +49 (0) 351 46 46 31 27
Fax: +49 (0) 351 46 46 31 26
E-mail: kuechler@dilatometer.info
VAT Number (USt.-IdNr.): DE285812663


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One of the organizers, Dr. Jeroen Custers and Dr. Franziska Weickert from Los Alamos National Laboratory discuss the benefits of dilatometry in Prague.

In the session "Novel techniques for SCES investigation" I introduced our patented dilatometry design and new applications in space lacking devices in my talk entitled "Ultra-high resolution capacitive dilatometry under extreme conditions"