Thermal analysis apparatus

A power compensation-type differential scanning calorimeter comprising:

• a sample holder for holding a sample container containing a sample;
• a sample temperature sensor arranged proximate the sample holder for measuring the sample temperature;
• a sample side heater arranged proximate the sample holder for heating the sample;
• a reference material holder for holding a reference material container containing a reference material;
• a reference material temperature sensor arranged proximate the reference material holder for measuring the reference material temperature;
• a reference material side heater arranged proximate the reference material holder for heating the reference material;
• a temperature measuring instrument connected to the sample temperature sensor and the reference material sensor for measuring the differential temperature between the sample side and the reference material side;
• a program temperature generator;
• a differential thermal compensator for inputting the differential temperature output by the temperature measuring instrument and outputting power to only the sample side heater effective to reduce the differential temperature value;
• a bias power output generator for outputting a fixed bias power to the sample side heater and the reference material side heater;
• a heat reservoir surrounding the sample holder and the reference material holder;
• a heat reservoir temperature measuring instrument for measuring heat reservoir temperature;
• and
• a heat reservoir temperature controller connected to the program temperature generator and the heat reservoir temperature measuring instrument for controlling the heat reservoir to make the heat reservoir temperature correspond to the desired value of temperature output by the program temperature generator;
• wherein the power output by the differential thermal compensator is detected as a sample endothermic/exothermic signal.

A thermal analyzer comprising:

• a sample holder for holding a sample;
• a reference material holder for holding a reference material;
• a plurality of heaters for heating the sample and the reference material;
• a program temperature generator for outputting a signal for controlling at least one of the heaters according to a pre-stored temperature program;
• a first feedback loop for measuring temperatures of the sample and the reference material, determining a differential temperature between the sample and the reference material, and controlling only a sample heater to reduce the differential temperature;
• a second feedback loop for measuring a temperature of at least one of the sample and the reference material, determining a difference between the measured temperature and a desired temperature as defined by the program temperature generator, and controlling a heater so as to reduce the difference.