Application of laser polarimetry to the measurement of the specific heat capacity of molybdenum in the range 2000 to 2800 K by a pulse-heating technique

Measurement of the specific heat capacity of molybdenum (standard reference material) in the temperature range 2000 to 2800 K is described. The method is based on rapid resistive self-heating of a solid cylindrical specimen f rom room temperature to the maximum temperature of interest by the passage of a subsecond-duration electrical current pulse through the specimen with simultaneous measurement of the pertinent experimental quantities. The expe rimental quantities yield: the current through the specimen, voltage drop a cross the specimen, and specimen temperature. The objective of this study i s to demonstrate the feasibility of performing accurate thermophysical meas urements where the specimen's true temperature is determined from measureme nts of surface radiance temperature with a pyrometer and normal spectral em issivity with a laser polarimeter. This approach of measuring true temperat ure eliminates the need of having a blackbody configuration for the specime n. In addition to the specific heat capacity, the normal spectral emissivit y (at 633 nm) and electrical resistivity of molybdenum in the temperature r ange from 2000 to 2800 K are presented.