Simple controlled heating method for a free-standing sample using bimetallic strips

Abstract

We describe a simple method to heat a free-standing sample such as a cantilever using bimetallic strips. The bimetallic strips are used to make controlled electrical contacts induced by radiative heating of the strips by a W filament. In order to improve the electrical contacts and have good reproducibility, a double looped spring design was employed. By using this method, we can heat-up free-standing samples to 1400 K. In addition, by using multiple bimetallic strips with the double looped spring designs, regional heating of the sample can be achieved. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.