Stage assembly for thermodynamic study under a microscope

摘要

The invention relates to a stage assembly for use on a microscope when studying transient phenomena in which pressure and temperature may vary over very large ranges. Such an instrument is applicable to geology, mineralogy, crystallography, and solid state physics, for example. In accordance with the invention the stage assembly comprises a sealed outer envelope (1) having optical windows (6, 7), a sealed inner enclosure (8) in which an experiment volume (9) is defined and likewise having two optical windows (15, 16), and means for fixing and/or monitoring the temperature and the pressure in said experimental volume.