Calibration of temperature controllers and sensors
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Date
2016-11-29
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Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
Abstract
Reliable temperature measurements are a key part of many sample environment setups for neutron scattering experiments. This typically requires the use of both a temperature sensor and temperature controller. It is often desirable to be able to perform a continuous measurement spanning a wide range of temperatures, however the choice of suitable sensors is limited. Rhodium iron (RhFe) resistive thermometers are best suited to the
temperature range of our cryofurnaces (1.5 to 800 K), however their calibration is known to drift when exposed to elevated temperatures. Here, we will present procedures to ensure that both the controller and sensor used in such experiments are performing optimally. Calibrated resistors, which can mimic the behavior of
a temperature sensor fixed at a particular temperature, can be used to check the calibration of the readings given by temperature controllers such as Lake Shore 336/340 or Oxford Instruments iTC units. If the controllers are known to be operating to the tolerances specified by their manufacturer, then we can have confidence in the measurements that they make. We can then use our newly verified controllers to assess the performance of RhFe sensors over a range of temperatures from 4 to 800 K in a custom-built calibration rig. This allows us
to quantify the behavior of the sensors after they are subject to high temperatures, and to account for shifts in their readings. Using this procedure, we can ensure that the sensors remain reliable after prolonged operational use.
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Keywords
Neutron diffraction, Rhodium, Iron, Thermometers, Furnaces, Tolerance, Temperature control, Calibration
Citation
Manning, A., Booth, N., & Imperia, P. (2016). Calibration of temperature controllers and sensors. Paper presented at 13th AINSE-ANBUG Neutron Scattering Symposium, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 29-30 November 2016.