A high temperature furnace for in situ and time-resolved x-ray diffraction studies

A high temperature furnace has been built and mounted on a six-circle goniometer for in situ diffraction studies of polycrystalline and powder samples. Temperatures up to 1400 K are controlled with a stability better than ±0.05 K in a vacuum better than 10 −7 atm . The furnace is also able to work in oxidizing or reducing atmosphere and is mounted on a χ circle table using the φ circle as a driver for precise translation of the sample in the z direction. The sample can be rotated continuously via a mechanical feedthrough. The temperature is measured by means of a thermocouple placed at the sample holder (0.5 mm from the sample position). The temperature has been calibrated up to 1073 K by following the known thermal expansion of an AlCuFe quasicrystal.