Apparatus and reaction vessel for controlling the temperature of a sample

A vessel having a reaction chamber for holding a sample, the vessel comprising:

• a) a rigid frame defining minor walls of the chamber, wherein at least two of the minor walls are light transmissive to provide optical windows to the chamber;
• b) two opposing major walls of the chamber connected to each other by the minor walls;
• wherein at least one of the major walls comprises a sheet or film;
• and
• c) a port for introducing the sample into the chamber.

A reaction vessel having a reaction chamber for holding a sample, the vessel comprising:

• a) a rigid frame defining minor walls of the chamber;
• b) two opposing major walls of the chamber connected to each other by the minor walls;
• wherein at least one of the major walls comprises a sheet or film;
• c) a port for introducing the sample into the vessel;
• d) a channel connecting the port to the chamber;
• and
• e) a plug that is insertable into the channel to increase pressure in the chamber.

A reaction vessel comprising:

• a) two opposing major walls, wherein at least one of the major walls comprises a sheet or film;
• b) a plurality of rigid minor walls joining the major walls to each other to form a reaction chamber, at least two of the minor walls being light transmissive;
• and
• c) a port for introducing fluid into the chamber;
• wherein the ratio of the total surface area of the major walls to that of the minor walls is at least 2:1.

A reaction vessel comprising:

• a) two opposing major walls, wherein at least one of the major walls comprises a sheet or film;
• b) a plurality of rigid minor walls joining the major walls to each other to form a reaction chamber, at least two of the minor walls being light transmissive to provide optical windows to the chamber;
• and
• c) a port for introducing fluid into the chamber;
• wherein the ratio of the thermal conductance of the major walls to that of the minor walls is at least 2:1.

A reaction vessel comprising:

• a) two opposing major walls, wherein at least one of the major walls comprises a sheet or film;
• b) a plurality of rigid minor walls joining the major walls to each other to form a reaction chamber
• c) a port for introducing fluid into the vessel;
• d) a channel connecting the port to the reaction chamber;
• and
• e) a plug that is insertable into the channel to increase pressure in the reaction chamber.