Fig. 6

Adapter for measuring sample temperature during transfer within the transfer block and high pressure freezing. a Temperature measurement adapter (TMA) made from a standard loading device (1) consisting of a plastic tube with internal mechanical components and the specimen pod (2) with connected thermocouple sensor (3). b Specimen pod (schematic drawing, not to scale) (4) with two windows (5) through which jet streams of LN₂ are applied and the pressure adapter (6) with an internal copper tube (7) for building up high hydraulic pressure (arrow) by methyl cyclohexane (liquid) which is directly forwarded to the bottom of the flat specimen carrier (8) which contains the sample. A grub screw (9) with an industrial diamond (10) on its tip seals the open side of the flat specimen carrier and ensures sufficient mechanical stability of the set-up. A thermocouple sensor (11) was connected to the flat specimen carrier to monitor sample temperature during transfer and high pressure freezing. c Transfer block (12) with affixed envelope of sponge rubber and inserted TMA (13). d Drawing (section) of the transfer block, showing the aluminium body (14), the sponge rubber envelope (15), the drill holes into which the loading device (16) and the thermocouple sensor for monitoring sample temperature during transportation (17) are inserted