Instructions for DIY Apparatus for Luminescence thermometry

Luminescence thermometry requires an expensive apparatus for heating/cooling the samples. The commercial equipment costs up to several thousands of dollars. We present here a manual for custom built apparatus built for under 100$. The apparatus is already been used for several researches at Vinca Institute for Nuclear Research, Serbia. Its use for thermometry has been described in article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2018.08.065

The code for Arduino boards will be published on Mendeley Data, and the complete description of the apparatus will be described in the article to be sent to a scientific journal.

The complete apparatus

The complete apparatus is given in this picture. Bottom left is the Peltier element component, middle is the temperature control and measuring circuit with power supply, and on the right is a hot stand powered by ~230V.

Hot Stand AC 230V for room temperature up to 400 degrees Celsius

1st check

  • Check that the power cord is plugged in
  • The switch should point to ~230V

Plug in

  • Thermocouple should be inserted in the module. Red wire to + and blue wire to -
  • Plug in the AC cord

Powering

  • Power on the device by turning the ATX power supply

Control

  • The display says "SET"
  • Use + and - buttons to set the desired temperature with increments of 100 C and click SET
  • Use + and - to set the desired temperature with increments of 10 C and click SET
  • Use + and - buttons to set the desired temperature with increments of 1 C and click SET
  • Display says "Done" and the heating process starts.
  • To enter the new temperature, hold + and - buttons for 1s.

Hot/Cold stand - Peltier TEC 12V, for temperatures from 0 to 80 degrees Celsius

Prep

  • Before everything make sure that the switch points to the 12V markings on the case.
  • In socket labeled with 12V PWM insert the plug from the TEC element.
  • Into thermocouple module should be inserted thermocouple from TEC, with correct polarity.

Fan

Bellow the case is a fan. It is powered by connecting the cinch plug to the cinch socket.

Polarity

  • The polarity of the TEC must be set for the cooling or heating. This is regulated by the switch on the TEC case.
  • Power on ATX power supply.
  • SET appears on display. Continue with setting the desired temperature as described above.