Instrument for applying thermal energy to a reaction chamber

An instrument for applying thermal energy to a reaction chamber of a test platform, the instrument comprising:

• first and second heaters disposed in a spaced-apart configuration to receive the reaction chamber in a position with respect to the first and second heaters so that the first and second heaters contact different parts of the reaction chamber, and wherein each heater is configured to apply thermal energy to the reaction chamber by conductive heat transfer through a part of the reaction chamber contacted by the respective heater;
• a first controller configured to control thermal energy generated by the first heater;
• and
• a second controller configured to control thermal energy generated by the second heater, wherein control by the first controller of thermal energy generated by the first heater is independent of control by the second controller of thermal energy generated by the second heater, and control by the second controller of thermal energy generated by the second heater is independent of control by the first controller of thermal energy generated by the first heater, and wherein the first controller controls thermal energy generated by the first heater and the second controller controls thermal energy generated by the second heater to achieve a common temperature profile for the first heater and the second heater.