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Platinum

Temperature range: 14 K to 873 K
Conforms to IEC 751 standards for platinum sensors
High reproducibility: ±5 mK at 77 K

PT-100 Series platinum resistance thermometers are an excellent choice for use as cryogenic temperature sensing and control elements 30 K to 873 K (-243 °C to 600 °C). Over this temperature span, platinum offer high repeatability and nearly constant sensitivity (dR/dT). They are also useful as control elements in magnetic field environments where errors approaching one degree can be tolerated. These sensors are interchangeable above 70 K. The use of controlled-purity platinum assures device uniformity.

Temperature range	14 K to 873 K
Resistance range	1 kΩ to 20 kΩ
Calibration curve	Calibrated and interchangeable options
Accuracy	±10 mK at 30 K
Short-term stability	±5 mK at 77 K
Magnetic fields	Fair above 30 K
Radiation	Recommended
Packages	Standard, AM
Temperature controller	336, 335

What is a platinum resistance thermometer?

A platinum resistance thermometer (PRT) is a temperature sensor that measures temperature by detecting changes in the electrical resistance of a platinum element. Platinum is used because its resistance changes predictably and almost linearly with temperature, and it is chemically stable. PRTs typically use a platinum wire or thin film mounted in a protective probe. Common variants include Pt100 sensors, which have 100 Ω resistance at 0 °C. These sensors are widely used in scientific and industrial applications for their accuracy and reliability.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of platinum resistance thermometer?

Platinum resistance thermometers offer high accuracy, excellent stability, and a wide operating range from about −200 °C to 600 °C. They are highly repeatable and suitable for precision applications. However, they have some disadvantages: they are more expensive than other sensor types, require additional circuitry for measurement, and can have slower response times compared to thermistors. Mechanical shock and contamination at very high temperatures can also affect performance.

How accurate is the platinum resistance thermometer?

Platinum resistance thermometers are among the most accurate temperature sensors available. Industrial-grade PRTs typically achieve accuracies of ±0.15 °C at 0 °C for Class A sensors, while laboratory-standard PRTs can reach accuracies of ±0.01 °C or better when properly calibrated. Their stability and repeatability make them the preferred choice for calibration and precision measurement over a wide temperature range.

In what cryogenic applications are platinum sensors used?

Platinum resistance thermometer (PRT) sensors are highly useful in various applications due to their low price and usefulness in higher temperature systems. With operating ranges from liquid nitrogen temperatures (77.35 K) to many hundreds of degrees Celsius, they offer good sensitivity over the entire range. Lake Shore's 100 Ω PRTs adhere to the ISO standard temperature curve but have also been characterized for viable operation down to 14 K, making them the lowest temperature PRTs available. Above 70 K, PRTs offer high repeatability and nearly constant sensitivity (dR/dT). Because of their high reproducibility, they are used in many precision thermometry applications.