Apparatus for variable temperature infrared spectroscopy with a button sample holder

A test sample system for carrying out a testing protocol on a sample at one or more temperatures within a spectrophotometer, the system comprising:

• a button sample holder configured to hold the sample during the testing protocol,
• wherein the button sample holder further comprises:
• a mesh sample retainer, wherein the mesh sample retainer comprises:
• a mesh disc configured to retain the sample;
• a backing member;
• and
• a thermocouple connected to the backing member and configured to measure the temperature of the sample in the mesh disc;
• and
• a sample plate, wherein the sample plate comprises a mesh sample container recess that is configured to receive the mesh sample retainer such that a top surface of the mesh disc is substantially flush with a top surface of the sample plate;
• and
• a temperature control support assembly for supporting the button sample holder and controlling the temperature of the sample in the button sample holder, wherein the temperature control support assembly comprises:
• a thermoelectric heat transfer system comprising two or more thermoelectric chips (TECs), wherein at least one of the two or more TECs is in contact with the sample plate of the button sample holder;
• and
• a liquid cooling system.

A method for the variable temperature infrared spectroscopy analysis of a test sample using a spectrophotometer, the method comprising the steps of:

• loading the sample in a button sample holder that includes a mesh sample retainer and sample plate, wherein the mesh sample retainer further includes a mesh disc configured to retain the sample, a backing member, and a thermocouple connected to the backing member and configured to measure the temperature of the sample in the mesh disc, and wherein the sample plate comprises a mesh sample container recess that is configured to receive the mesh sample retainer such that a top surface of the mesh disc is substantially flush with a top surface of the sample plate;
• placing the loaded button sample holder onto a temperature control support assembly that includes a thermoelectric heat transfer system that includes at least one thermoelectric chip (TEC) such that that TEC is in direct contact with the sample plate of the button sample holder;
• placing the loaded button sample holder and temperature control support assembly into the spectrophotometer;
• changing the temperature of the sample to a setpoint temperature with a thermoelectric chip in the temperature control support assembly;
• and
• taking a measurement with the spectrophotometer of the sample at the setpoint temperature.