Design, Characterization, and Applications of a Photoacoustic Cell for Temperature and Atmosphere Control

A photoacoustic cell designed for controlled temperature operation up to 500 °C with a flowing coupling gas is described. The compact design and the easy access to the cell windows permit use of the cell Interchangeably between ultraviolet-visible-near-lnfrared and mid-infrared spectrometers. The separation of the sample and microphone compartments of the cell, which is necessary to protect the microphone from high temperatures, creates a Helmholtz resonator configuration for which the resonance is in the region of useful photothermal modulation frequencies. The performance characteristics of the cell, including the effects of the resonance, are illustrated and Its application to the study of thermal decomposition reactions, phase transitions, and solld-gas reactions is demonstrated. © 1988, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Duke Scholars

Author Richard A. Palmer Chemistry