An automated high precision calorimeter for the temperature range 200 K-400 K. Part II. Design of temperature controllers

Abstract

The design and construction of precision temperature controllers, capable of tracking the temperature of the samples to within 1 mK for ramp heating rates from 0.05 to 10 K per hour, are discussed. A tutorial section on the evolution of the control loop configuration is first given. This is followed by an outline of the refinements of the basic control loop desirable in the actual implementation of the electronic controller. The novel features of the present system and its performance are then briefly discussed. Finally the inadequacy of the conventional PID controllers for this application, the estimation of the time constants of the physical system needed in the design of the electronic controllers and the pitfalls in using a simple model of the heater plus thermometer assembly with a single pole are also discussed.