Chips Move Heat and Light

PCR Step Heat

capacity times temperature step

A PCR chip temperature step can be taught as an exact heat budget. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

A chip step has a heat capacity model

The training heat capacity is 4 J/K and the temperature step is 20 K.

C=4 J/K,ΔT=20 KC=4\ \text{J/K},\quad \Delta T=20\ \text{K}
PCR heat stepThermometers show the checked temperature step.80 Jheat300 Kstart320 Kend

Heat equals capacity times temperature step

The heat for this ideal step is 80 J. PCR chemistry and yield saturation are not claimed here.

Q=CΔT=80 JQ=C\Delta T=80\ \text{J}
PCR heat stepThe heat bar is computed from the same quantity.80 Jheat300 Kstart320 Kend