μCHILL: a lightweight, modular system for handling crystalline samples at low temperatures under inert conditions.

A procedure for preparing and mounting crystals under inert conditions is demonstrated, using a specialized apparatus (μCHILL) to provide a cold gas stream fed from a liquid nitrogen (LN2) reservoir or an open bath heat exchanger. A second, dry gas stream at room temperature enwraps the cold gas, protecting the sample preparation zone from ambient moisture. The technique is extremely flexible, requiring only a single operator, little practice and almost no preparation time. The device enables operation in a wide temperature range (at least 213 K to room temperature), providing temperature control and very stable conditions with no icing for extended time periods. The flexible, modular and low‐cost design is based on three‐dimensional‐printed parts and readily available standard components, potentially making the device available to a wide range of users and applications not limited to single‐crystal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]