Low T hydrostatic limits of n-pentane/iso-pentane mixture measured by a self-supporting Manganin pressure gauge

A simple design for a self-supporting Manganin pressure gauge is described. The shear-strain sensitivity of the gauge has been used to determine the hydrostatic pressure limit below 150 K of the 50/50 mixture by volume of n- and isopentane that is commonly used as a pressure-transmitting medium in high-pressure experiments.