Abstract
A new type of calorimetry which uses a micromechanical probe as a “bimetallic” temperature sensor is reviewed. The calorimetry has a theoretical heat detection limit of the order of 20fJ and a time resolution of 0.5ms. In the investigation of rotator phase transitions of n-alkanes, we obtained a heat sensitivity of 0.5nJ for a sample mass of 7pg with a time resolution of 0.5ms. Methods for precise quantification of the transition enthalpies are discussed.
