A low-noise thermistor bridge for use in calorimetry.

A precision thermistor bridge and thermistor is described for use ina thermaltitration calorimeteror a high-speed stoppedor continuous-flow calorimeter of the Roughton type. These are compared and evaluated with regard to several other types of detectors, including the platinum resistance thermometer, thermocouple, transistor thermometer, and capacitance thermometers. At this time the best detection for our purpose seems to be a specially constructed 20100 kfI thermistor used in conjunction with a new ac lock-in amplifier bridge. The sensitivity of the system is equivalent to a peak-to-peak noise of 25 X 106 #{176}C, witha 100-ms time constant and 1 W power dissipation in the thermistor. Long-term drift of the bridge, without an oven, was 1 X 10-6 #{176}C/min.