Market leaders in temperature controlled microscopy, Linkam Scientific Instruments, have announced the launch of a new heating stage that can control sample temperatures up to 1500 °C whilst maintaining a clear optical path for observing any changes in its characteristics.

Linkam high temperature stages are used in a wide variety of applications including geology, metallurgy, ceramics and high temperature polymers. When some samples are heated to high temperatures, they can release volatile components which condense on the window, obscuring the optical path. To overcome this, Linkam engineers have developed a simple but extremely effective solution. The new HS1500 stage incorporates a large window that can be rotated to move a clear area into the optical path.

Operating up to 1500 °C, the unit features a 55 mm rotatable quartz window which allows the user to turn the window to a new, clear, area during the experiment if they observe volatile emissions settling onto the viewing window. This new functionality is especially useful in observing how materials such as ceramics, metallic alloys, polymers and many more react to ultra-high temperatures, without compromising the image quality.

The HS1500 stage features a ceramic heating cup which when used in conjunction with the ceramic cover creates a micro oven around the sample and heats at an incredible rate of up to 200 °C/min. The stage body has precision quick-release gas valves which can be used to purge the sample chamber with an inert gas to reduce any oxidation effects on the sample itself.

Sales and Marketing Manager, Dr Duncan Stacey, speaks of this launch: “At Linkam, we are continually talking to our customers, listening to their ideas and suggestions. The HS1500 is a great example of how we listened to an issue affecting some of our customers and developed a simple but effective solution.” 

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