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Quick start guide
This short document gives a quick overview of how to get going quickly with your Razorbill Instruments Cryogenic strain cell. It designed to give you all the information you need to get going with a CS1X0 or FC100 cell, without overwhelming the reader with too much additional information.
Quick start guide - PPMS probes
This quick start guide is designs for users who purchased a pre-modified quantum design PPMS probe from Razorbill. These users will be able to get going more quickly as most of the probe, cryostat and wiring are completely compatible.
PPMS Kit Installation Guide
This document provides step-by-step instructions as to how a PPMS kit can be used to convert an existing Quantum Design multifunction probe (MFP) to be used with a Razorbill Instrument CS100 or FC100 stress/strain cell.
Connector installation guide
This set of instructions aids in installing miniature coax (MMCX) connectors on flexible ultra-miniature coaxial cable. This may be required if a user is installing their cryostat wiring or replacing a faulty connector.
CS1X0 Datasheet
This datasheet contains everything you need to go to get started with a CS100, CS110, CS120 or CS130
It includes;
• An extended list of specifications
• Dimensioned drawings of the device
• Overview of sample mounting
• Approaches to apparatus mounting
• A short operation guide
CS2X0T Datasheet
This datasheet contains everything you need to go to get started with our two types of transmission cell, the CS200T and CS220T
It includes;
• An extended list of specifications
• Overview of sample mounting
• Approaches to apparatus mounting
• A short operation guide
FC100 Datasheet
The datasheet contains everything you need to go to get started with the FC100 high performance stress cell.
It includes;
• An extended list of specifications
• Overview of sample mounting
• Approaches to apparatus mounting
• A short operation guide
UC200 Datasheet
The datasheet contains everything you need to go to get started with the UC200 universal cryogenic stress/strain cell.
It includes;
• An extended list of specifications
• Overview of sample mounting
• Approaches to apparatus mounting
• A short operation guide
RP100 power supply manual
The instruction manual for the RP100, Razorbill Instruments power supply. Two channel 4-quadrant, (±200V sink-source, bipolar) power supply to drive CS1X0, CS2X0T, FC100 or UC200 series stress or strain cells.
MP240 high-isolation coaxial switch manual
The instruction manual for the MP240 a high-isolation coaxial switch (multiplexer). This is designed to allow the reading the outputs from multiple capacitors, particularly the two sensors in the UC200, using a single capacitance bridge.
Quantum design multifuction probe with strain modification
This guide is for users of Quantum Design multifunction probes that have been converted for use with Razorbill Instruments products. It is relevant both for customers who have converted their own multifunction probes with a conversion kit supplied by Razorbill Instruments and by customers who purchased a complete pre-modified probe.
AP001 Thermal expansion
This application note describes how Razorbill Instruments stress and strain cells respond to temperature changes. It includes details of the thermal expansion of piezoelectric stacks, and the mechanism by which the cells prevent that thermal expansion from affecting the sample. It also describes the remaining effects which are not compensated, the thermal expansion of the rest of the cell. Implications for the sample are described, along with some suggestions of how to mount samples with large thermal expansions. Finally this application note also includes a few notes about other thermal effects such as changes in thermal conductivity of the cell.
AP002 Drive Electronics
The Razorbill Instruments stress and strain cells use piezoelectric stacks to drive them. These stacks require voltages of up to ± 200 V, with very small currents, to operate. This document describes the way that the cells should be connected, and discusses some of the options for generating the required voltages.
Note that Razorbill Instruments can provide a power supply to work with any of our cells, which substantially simplifies the process of getting up and running. This application note is of more use to customers who plan to provide their own power supply, but also contains some details about wiring and connections which are more broadly applicable.
AP003 Measuring Capacitance
Razorbill Instruments stress and strain cells use parallel plate capacitive sensors. In strain cells, the capacitor measures the displacement applied to the sample, and in stress cells it measures the force applied. This application note describes;
- the sensors, how they should be connected.
- cabling requirements.
- different options for measuring the capacitance.
AP004 Heat flow in wire and cable
Razorbill Instruments stress and strain cells require relatively high voltages to operate, and integrate capacitance sensors for feedback. This means that the cryostat needs suitably insulated wires for the drive, and coax cables for the readout. But many cryostats do not include this type of wiring, so the researcher may have to install it. There are two other Application Notes AP002 and AP003 which cover drive electronics and capacitance measurement, and have information about types of wire and cable. This Application Note describes thermal conductivity and heat load, which applies to any type of cable.
Note that Razorbill Instruments also sell wiring and feedthrough kits for Quantum Design PPMS cryostats, which can provide a quicker and easier option than starting from scratch.
AP005: Mounting samples
This document describes a practical procedure for mounting samples for the application of stress and strain at cryogenic temperature.
The Razorbill instruments stress and strain cells are versatile tools for applying uniaxial stress and strain at low-temperature. Because scientific experiments are necessarily involve doing procedures that have not been done before, many materials and or probes will require the development of new mounting procedures or the use of the cell in even more unconventional ways. Consequently, this application note should be considered only a starting off point for how samples may be mounted and not a complete account.
AP006: Capacitive sensor performance
This application note describes how to get the best out of your capacitive force & displacement sensors that are integrated into the stress and strain cells.
Razorbill instruments stress and strain cells use capacitors to provide a feedback signal of the force or displacement your sample is subject to. This app note covers the expected performance of the capacitors, and how to design your experiments get the best possible performance from them.
AP007: Force vs displacement
This application note describes the feedback sensors in Razorbill Instruments stress and strain cells. Some cells measure displacement, some measure force, and some measure both. In general, both is best, and if only on can be used then force is superior to displacement. But this is not the case for every experiment.
This note describes in detail exactly what each type of sensor measures and how that relates to the properties of the sample.
CS1X0 Dimensioned drawings and STEP files
These dimensioned drawings and CAD models will enable you to determine your preferred way to mount the cell in your cryostat.
To download the .STEP files, please right-click on the the download link and select "save link as..." then select where you want to save the file, specifying a .step filetype.
FC100 dimensioned drawings and STEP files
These dimensioned drawings and CAD models will enable you to determine your preferred way to mount the cell in your cryostat.
To download the .STEP files, please right-click on the the download link and select "save link as..." then select where you want to save the file, specifying a .step filetype.
UC200 dimensioned drawings and STEP files
These dimensioned drawings and CAD models will enable you to determine your preferred way to mount the cell in your cryostat.
To download the .STEP files, please right-click on the the download link and select "save link as..." then select where you want to save the file, specifying a .step filetype.
Modified PPMS Probe technical drawing and wiring diagrams
These dimensioned drawings will enable you to see exactly what a completed PPMS multifunction probe will look like.
RP100 User Manual | |
Windows drivers | |
Driver installation instructions | |
A simple software tool to send commands to the power supply. | |
A simple python script for operating our products. Guide on how to use it is here. |
MP240 User Manual | |
Windows drivers | |
Driver installation instructions | |
A simple software tool to send commands to the MP240. |