Redefining the Limits of Precision

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
+ Pre-Wired Option: Available with specialized miniature coaxial cables for immediate use.
+ Any Cryostat: Dilatometer + attachments
+ PPMS: Dilatometer (can be rotated) complete with PPMS-probe and cables and 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

Modular Design: Both mini cells share the same footprint (14 × 15 mm). Our patented modularity allows you to switch between pressure and zero-pressure modes by simply exchanging the main body.

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.

1. Low and Ultra-Low Temperature Environments

Our dilatometer are optimized for minimal heat load and rapid thermalization, making them the preferred choice for mK-research:

Oxford Instruments Kelvinox (100 & 400): We have successfully operated our dilatometers in Kelvinox systems over a temperature range from 20 mK to 6 K. They are compatible with custom adapters that allow the dilatometers to be mounted on a platform and mechanically rotated. Alternatively, they can be integrated with Attocube systems for electronic in-situ rotation.

Quantum Design PPMS® Dilution Refrigerator: Fully compatible with the DynaCool DR-insert, providing high-resolution measurements from 60 mK to 4 K.

Cryogen-Free Systems: Successfully tested in Cryogenic Ltd. systems down to 60 mK. We cooperate with the manufacturer to provide integrated dilatometer sensor solutions for these platforms.

2. Quantum Design PPMS® Family

We provide a complete solution for the entire PPMS range (PPMS-9, PPMS-14, EverCool, and DynaCool):

Temperature Range: Consistent performance from 1.8 K to 320 K.
Rotation Options: Our dilatometers are used both with our own In-situ Rotation Probe for changes at base temperature and with standard probes for manual angle adjustments at room temperature.

3. High-Field & Specialized Facilities

The ultra-compact design (14 × 15 × 16 mm) allows for measurements where space is the ultimate constraint:
Our high-precision dilatometers are an integral part of the user pool at the High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML) Nijmegen. Our mini-dilatometer is used for thermal expansion and magnetostriction measurements in a 37.5 T Bitter magnet, designed to fit within a 15.2 mm diameter tube.
To use our dilatometer at HFML, please submit your request for magnet time via the central EMFL user portal.
While integrated in Nijmegen, the ultra-compact and robust design makes our dilatometers the ideal choice for high-field facilities worldwide.

4. Exchange Gas Cryostats

Proven reliability in helium atmospheres from 5 K up to 300 K.

Operating Conditions & Compatibility

To achieve the ultimate resolution of 0.01 Å, our dilatometer are designed for the following conditions:

Media: Best performance is achieved in vacuum or steadyflowing inert gas atmospheres (Helium, Nitrogen, or dry air).

Mounting & Accessories: We offer matching adapters and specialized miniature coaxial cabling to ensure easy. integration into your existing cryostat or probe.

Versatility: Due to their robust design, our dilatometers are the reliable choice for any setup requiring high precision in confined spaces.

Precision Without Interruption: The In-situ Advantage

Our flagship rotation probe is engineered for researchers who demand the highest data integrity without the wait. Unlike standard setups that require time-consuming thermal cycles to change orientation, our system allows you to adjust the sample angle manually from the top of the probe instantly.

Why choose In-situ Rotation?

Identical Data Conditions: By staying at your setpoint (including base temperature), you eliminate thermal drift and unintended changes to the sample's physical state. Every angle is measured under the exact same thermal conditions, ensuring your data is perfectly comparable across the entire sweep.
No More Waiting: “Rotate in seconds, not hours.” Skip the tedious temperature ramps and stabilization periods. Change the angle and keep measuring immediately, ensuring your instrument time is spent on science, not waiting.
Systematic Anisotropy Studies: The manual in-situ rotation (axis normal to the direction of the applied field) allows for precise sample orientation between -90° and +90° while maintaining extreme mechanical stability.

Experimental Evidence: This plot shows the magnetostriction of a 1 mm NbP single crystal at 2 K, measured in a DynaCool system. The clearly visible quantum oscillations (de Haas-van Alphen effect) demonstrate the exceptional sensitivity of our probe.

Technical Specifications

Rotation Range: -90° to +90° (Manual In-situ Top-Loading Control)
Possible Resolution: 0.01 × 10-10 m (Sub-Angström level)
Measurement Range Thermal Expansion and Magnetostriction: Operational Temperature 1.8 K to 320 K
Magnetic Field Range: 0 to 16 T
Sample Length Samples: up to 2.75 mm
Compatibility: Quantum Design PPMS®, DynaCool, and EverCool
Connectivity: Pre-installed high-fidelity coaxial cabling
Package Includes: Rotation Probe, Mini-Dilatometer, Cabling and Software

Key Features

Sample size: up to 2.75 mm
Temperature range: 0.06 – 4 K
Magnetic field: 0 – 16 T
Resolution: 0.01 Å
Compatible with: Mini Dilatometer & Mini-Stress Dilatometer

Full Integration Package

The system is delivered as a complete, ready-to-integrate package:
+ Two mounting adapters for dilatometer orientation
(a) perpendicular to magnetic field
(b) parallel to magnetic field
+ Aluminium flange with vacuum-tight Fischer connectors
+ Two coaxial cables for connection to the capacitance bridge
+ Miniature coaxial cables for installation inside the DR-Insert

Installation Note:
Internal wiring inside the DR-Insert must be installed by the user in coordination with Quantum Design (see also APPENDIX: INSTALLATION OF THE MINI DILATOMETER IN THE QUANTUM DESIGN DILUTION REFRIGERATOR in Rev. Sci. Instrum. 94, 045108 (2023).

Thermal Expansion:
Exceptional sensitivity demonstrated: The sharp λ-type anomaly at TN = 0.88 K highlights the ability to resolve very clearly smallest thermodynamic signatures.
Inset: Resolution down to ΔL = 0.01 Å under real measurement conditions in the millikelvin regime using the PPMS® DynaCool DR-Insert.


Magnetostriction
Access complex magnetic phase diagrams: The measurement reveals three distinct magnetic phases in YbAlO3 with high clarity.
Lower panel: High-resolution magnetostriction measured at T = 65 mK on a 1.74 mm single crystal, demonstrating excellent performance deep in the millikelvin regime