Microwave differential thermal analysis in the investigation of thermal transitions in materials

The paper describes microwave differential thermal analysis, a new techniqu e that combines the advantages of microwave heating with the benefits of di fferential temperature measurement to give a sensitive means of probing the thermal properties of materials as a function of temperature. Details are given of the theoretical background, equipment, design of sample cells, and different modes of operation. Examples are given for a wide range of therm al transitions including fusions, solid-solid phase transitions, and therma l decompositions. The results are discussed in the context of conventional differential thermal techniques.