(Specific) Heat capacity of brass at milliKelvin temperatures

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the heat capacity of brass at milliKelvin temperatures, particularly in the context of a calorimeter experiment conducted at approximately 40 mK. Participants explore the thermal resistance and heat capacitance of materials used in low-temperature setups, with a focus on extrapolating values for brass based on available data for copper.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Xavier proposes that the heat capacity of common 70/30 brass can be extrapolated to 40 mK based on the linear decrease observed in copper's heat capacity at low temperatures.
  • Some participants inquire about the specific type of brass being referenced, noting that different compositions may yield different properties.
  • One participant mentions a lack of experience with temperatures below 20 K but suggests that the proposed method for estimating brass's heat capacity could be reasonable.
  • A suggestion is made to look for research papers by "J. A. Rayne" that may provide insights into the heat capacity of various brasses.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the heat capacity of brass at milliKelvin temperatures, and multiple viewpoints regarding the extrapolation method and the specific type of brass remain present.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the specific type of brass and its behavior at low temperatures, as well as the applicability of extrapolating copper's heat capacity to brass.

xavier_Ghz
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Hi all,

I do an calorimeter experiment at temperatures around 40 mK. To get more grip on the time constants that are associated with the heat flows, I calculate the thermal resistance as well as the heat capitance of the materials in the set-up.

We assume that Newton's law of cooling is the only relevant process, as the compartiments of the cryostat are all in a vacuum (no convection) and the nearest plate from the dilution refrigerator (14 mK) has a temperature of 50 mK (so the importance of radiative heat transfer is negligible).

My question is: what is Cbrass @ mK temperatures? I can't find it anywhere.

Let's assume that I use the common 70/30 brass. I found somewhere (lost the link) that

Cbrass = 3*10^-2 J / (Kg*K) at T = 1 K.

This is somewhat comparable to that of copper, as

CCu = 1.3*10^-2 J / (Kg*K) at T = 1 K.

However, the experiments for copper are done for the submillikelvin temperatures, which yield

CCu = 6*10^-4 J / (Kg*K) at T = 40 mK, (Fig. 3.12 from 'Matter and Methods at Low Temperatures by Pobel).

There, on a log(C)-log(T) scale, almost all curves decrease in a linear way. Should I assume that this is also the case for Cbrass to extrapolate to T = 40 mK? With a slope that is comparable to that of the heat capacity of copper? I probably make a lot of mistakes then, but it would give me

Cbrass = 1.4*10^-3 J / (Kg*K) at T = 40 mK.

Your help is much appreciated!

Xavier
 
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A clue about the heat capacity of any type of brass is good, although I assumed the most common type of brass (Cu with 30 or 37% Zinc).
 
xavier_Ghz said:
A clue
Having absolutely zero experience at anything less than 20 K, my input doesn't count for a whole lot. I'm not aware of any pathological behavior of any of the brasses, but there're no guarantees that niobium-tin type phenomena don't occur. i.e., for estimating properties/behavior of your calorimeter, what you've proposed sounds good.
 
Perhaps anyone else?
 
There are some papers by "J. A. Rayne" on the "heat capacity" of "brasses" (GoogleScholar).
 
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