Sample preparation for the Horizontal Optical Dilatometer

The optical dilatometer frames two opposite sides of the sample with two independent optics.

In order to achive the best focus the sample should be:

• machined to a trapezoidal shape, in such a way that the lengths of the faces parallel to the optical path are minimized
• placed on an alumina holding plate, in order to avoid elastic friction with holding rods
• aligned to the end of the holding rods, in such a way that the border distances from the optics are equal and the focus distance is the same
• placed in the middle of the furnace, so that the maximum expansion excursion is available both towards the left optic and towards the right optic