The MultiSTAR DSC Sensor Family

Thermal Analysis Option

Outstanding Resolution and Sensitivity

The sensor is the heart of any DSC measuring cell. Ideally, a modern DSC sensor should be
very sensitive, have a fast response, a flat baseline, and yet at the same time be rugged and
robust. Throughout the years, METTLER TOLEDO has created some of the most advanced DSC
sensors on the market. Our goal is to provide our customers with the best possible results.

DSC measurement technology has come a long way.

The unique Multi Mode Sensor (MMS 1) is equipped
with FlexMode™, enabling two different measurement
modes. Depending on your measure­m ent require-
ments, select either power compensation or heat flux
mode. Our ceramic DSC sensors are incredibly robust
and chemically resistant. Measurements can be per-
formed at high tem­p eratures in aggressive atmo-
spheres without any risk of corrosion.

The MultiSTAR™ DSC Sensor family has the advantages

of the following technologies:
• Thermal multiplier technique – amplifies the original
signal by using a large number of thermocouples
• Star-shaped arrangement – eliminates drifting and
results in flat baselines
• Multi-layer thermocouple technology – increases
the number of thermocouple layers, which greatly
improves the sensitivity (signal-to-noise ratio)
• Thick film technology – makes it possible to
construct the sensor in layers with an uppermost
ceramic layer for protection

Features and benefits of the MultiSTAR DSC sensor family

• FlexMode, choose power compensation or heat flux mode – for optimal DSC performance
• Patented electrical heat flow adjustment – saves time and ensures excellent measurement accuracy
• Power compensation – provides outstanding resolution for separating close-lying effects
• MultiSTAR sensor with 136 thermocouples – exceptional sensitivity for the measurement of weak effects
• Outstanding robustness – the ceramic surface protects the sensor against contamination
 The DSC Sensor
DSC Sensors

Development Success Story

In 1955, Boersma [1] invented the present-day heat flow DSC with his idea of placing the
thermal resistance outside the crucible. Watson et al. first described the development of
power-compensated DSC in a publication [2] in 1964. Since then, METTLER TOLEDO has
pushed the research and development in sensor technology for dedicated DSC sensors to
provide better and more reliable results to our customers.

When METTLER TOLEDO first entered the DSC market in 1971, the company benefited from its previous experience
with research-grade DTA instruments. The first DSC sensor was the result of pioneer research and was based on
the thermal multiplier technique. Using thin film technology, 10 gold-nickel thermocouples were vapor-deposited
on a glass support.

This resulted in a sensor with very good sensitivity characteristics. In 1987, it was joined by a robust chromium-
nickel metal sensor, a design that is still used today. Later in 1990, we had a further important breakthrough
with the introduction of a new 14-thermocouple ceramic sensor. Using thick film technology, in a process
consisting of several manufacturing steps, it became possible to successfully deposit the gold-palladium thermo-
couples and the hard, chemically resistant protective layer. This 14-thermocouple ceramic sensor was very
robust, very sensitive and had a fast response.

In 1995, a truly revolutionary new METTLER TOLEDO technical innovation

was introduced—the star-shaped arrangement of 56 thermocouples.
In this design, heat flow is measured separately on both the sample and
reference sides together with a multiple of T0 , Ts , and Tr. Potential temper-
ature gradients are thereby automatically compensated, resulting in very
flat baselines.

The next step in 2004 saw the introduction of the innovative multi-layer
thermocouple technology which made it possible to arrange thermocouples
on top of one another in several layers. This amplifies the measurement
signal still further, resulting in very low noise at the sub-microwatt level.

The MMS 1 sensor, introduced in 2023, provides yet another leap in DSC technology. The inclusion of heating
elements in the sensor allows a power compensation measurement mode. For the first time, a single furnace
DSC can measure with power compensation. This provides a single sensor with an extremely fast signal time
constant for high resolution, and a high signal-to-noise ratio for amazing sensitivity.

[1] S. L. Boersma, J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 38 (1955), 281.

[2] E. S. Watson, M. J. O’Neill, J. Justin and N. Brenner, Anal. Chem., 36 (1964) 1233.

2 METTLER TOLEDO Data Sheet

MMS 1 Sensor
The Next Generation of Performance

The revolutionary MMS 1 DSC sensor, with 136 thermocouples and 2 integrated heaters
for power compensation mode, provides superior performance. The MMS 1 and FlexMode™
allow the user to choose between measurement in either power compensation or heat
flux mode.

Heat flux mode

The MMS 1 sensor has 136 thermocouples in the MultiSTAR™ arrangement. These thermocouples measure the
temperature difference of the sample (Ts ) and reference positions (Tr ). When Ts ≠ Tr due to an endo- or exo-
thermic effect, the temperature difference between the sample and reference (∆T) is related to the in heat flow of
the sample.

Power compensation mode

When the power compensation measurement mode is selected in the STARe Software, the
integrated heaters become active. The aim of the power compensation mode is to keep the
temperature difference between sample and reference (ΔT) close to zero. If a thermal effect
occurs in the sample, the temperature on the sample side will deviate from the reference
temperature, which follows the program temperature. During an exothermic effect, such as
crystallization, the temperature on the sample side increases. The heater on the reference
side will then activate, increasing the reference temperature until it equals the sample
temperature. During an endothermic effect, such as melting, the sample becomes
cooler than the reference. The sample heater will then activate, increasing the
sample temperature until it equals the reference temperature.

The use of power compensation combines the stability and robustness of a heat
flux DSC with the short signal time constant and accuracy of the power com-
136 Thermocouples
pensation technology. This provides excellent resolution for the separation in 2 layers to measure
of close lying effects. the heat flow

In addition, the integrated heaters enable the patented electrical heat

flow adjustment. This produces a DSC that is always correctly 2 Heaters for power
compensation
adjusted over the entire temperature range.

Layered structure of the MMS 1 sensor

The MMS 1 sensor has 2 layers of thermocouples (136 total), Absolute sample and reference
two integrated heaters that enable the power compensation temperature sensors

mode, and temperature sensors to measure the absolute

temperature of the sample and reference.

METTLER TOLEDO Data Sheet 3

 Application Examples
DSC Sensors

TAWN Resolution
Using the standard TAWN test for
resolution, the MMS 1 sensor
scored a 3.98. This increase from
previous DSC instruments is due to
the power compensation mode.
The measurement and evaluation
are performed on n-hexatriacon-
tane (98%), which has two endo-
thermic peaks that cannot be fully
separated.

The short signal time constant mea-

sures changes in enthalpy much
faster than standard heat flux DSC
instruments. This leads to a better
resolved transition between the
two thermal effects.

Indium Height to Width Ratio

A frequently used method of deter-
mining the DSC resolution is to
evaluate the melting peak of indi-
um. The ratio of peak height to
peak width at half height is calcu-
lated. The method is often referred
to as “Indium Response Ratio”.
For the measurement, 1 mg indium
was heated at 10 °C/min. The high-
er the ratio, the better the resolu-
tion. The indium response ratio of
25.3 mW/ °C was determined with
the MMS 1 sensor, this demonstra-
tors the excellent resolution of this
sensor, along with a very fast sig-
nal time constant (0.71 s). High
resolution in a DSC means better
separation of close-lying effects.
In addition, it is also easier to mea-
sure fast transitions.

4 METTLER TOLEDO Data Sheet

 TAWN Sensitivity
Using the TAWN test for sensitivity,
the MMS 1 sensor produces an
excellent result of 66.3. The test
measures the melting of a very
small sample of p-azoxyd­ianisole
(0.25 mg in a standard 40 μL
aluminum crucible), with a slow
heating rate (0.1 °C/min).
The signal-to-noise ratio is then
calculated. Due to the power com-
pensation mode, a much higher
signal value is achieved than was
previously possible.

Electrical Heat Flow Adjustment

S R A well adjusted DSC is essential for
accurate results. The innovative de-
sign of the MMS 1 sensor includes
integrated heaters for power com-
pensation mode. These heaters
also enable the sensor to accurate-
ly self-adjust for heat flow, resulting
in a DSC that is always correctly
adjusted over the entire temperature
range. During the electrical heat
flow adjustment there is a pulse ev-
ery 50 K, with the response being
accurately measured. The heat flow
is measured accurately every time
over a temperature range that is not
possible with reference materials,
with no sample preparation needed,
and no possible influence from
operator bias.

METTLER TOLEDO Data Sheet 5

 Specifications for MMS 1 (Multi Mode Sensor)
Substrate material
DSC Sensors
Temperature range
Thermal multiplier
Multi-layer technology
Thermocouple design
Measurement mode
Heater design
Integrated heaters
Resulting properties
Recommended use
TAWN (sensitivity)
TAWN (resolution)
Signal time constant (s)
METTLER TOLEDO Group
Analytical Instruments
Local contact: www.mt.com/contacts
Subject to technical changes.
© 08/2023 METTLER TOLEDO. All rights reserved.
30849523
Marketing MatChar / MarCom Analytical
Ceramic
–155 to +700 °C
136 thermocouples (AuAuPd)
1st layer: 68 thermocouples
2nd layer: 68 thermocouples
3rd layer: 2 heaters for power compensation
4th layer: 2 temperature sensors
The star-shaped arrangement of thermocouples measure the net heat flow
on the sample and reference sides separately thanks to a double multiple
measurement of T0.
Power compensation Heat Flux
2 integrated heaters are located under
the sample and reference positions.
In the power compensation measure-
ment mode, they introduce heating Heaters are not active in heat flux mode
power to ensure that Ts = Tr.
The amount of heat introduced to the
system is directly measured.
2 with 250 mW each Heaters are not active in heat flux mode
• Extremely high resolution • Extremely low levels of noise
• Short signal time constant • High sensitivity
• High sensitivity • Flat baseline
• Flat baseline • Robust and chemically resistant
• Robust and chemically resistant
• High heating rates • Low-energy transitions
• Polymorphism of pharmaceutical (melting, solid-solid)
substances • Tg with small ΔCp
• Electronics (liquid crystals) (high degree of crystallization)
• Fast effect • Small sample quantities
• Kinetic measurements (forensic, pharmaceutical)
• Dilute solutions
(foodstuffs, biotechnology)
• Low heating rates
• Temperature modulated DSC
66.3 22.1
4.0 2.52
0.7 2.4
www.mt.com/ta
For more information