Patent ID: 7754473

Claim:
A method for rapid thermal control of a reaction volume ( 4 ) of a reaction vessel ( 2 ) comprising an enclosed reaction volume ( 4 ) being ≦2 ml, enclosed by at least two walls ( 6 , 8 ), a first wall ( 6 ) and a second wall ( 8 ), said first wall ( 6 ) being of a first material that is permeable to at least one wavelength of light and said second wall ( 8 ) being of a second material with a high thermal conductivity wherein thermal control of said reaction volume ( 4 ) in said reaction vessel ( 2 ) comprises a change of temperature of the reaction volume ( 4 ) from a preceding temperature to a target temperature wherein said change of temperature is carried out by a) first bringing at least the second wall ( 8 ) of a second material with a high thermal conductivity of the reaction vessel ( 2 ) in direct contact with a first thermal block ( 14 - 19 ) i) at a temperature higher than the target temperature if the target temperature is higher than the preceding temperature, or correspondingly ii) at a temperature lower than the target temperature if the target temperature is lower than the preceding temperature, for a time needed to bring the temperature of the reaction volume ( 4 ) to or close to the target temperature; and b) then bringing at least said second wall ( 8 ) in contact with a second thermal block ( 14 - 19 ) at the target temperature to bring the reaction volume ( 4 ) to said target temperature and/or keep the reaction volume ( 4 ) at said target temperature for the time intended, wherein the first thermal block ( 14 - 19 ) is at a constant predetermined first temperature and the second thermal block ( 14 - 19 ) is at said target temperature, wherein said second wall ( 8 ) is brought into direct contact with said first and said second thermal blocks ( 14 - 19 ), and wherein said reaction vessel further comprises an expansion volume ( 14 ) in communication with an outlet ( 12 ) of said reaction vessel ( 2 ) and said reaction volume ( 4 ), for expansion of the sample and/or reagents when reacting and/or for accommodating vapor pressure created by heating.