THE WORLDS RESOURCE FOR

VARIABLE TEMPERATURE
SOLID STATE CHARACTERIZATION
Variable Temperature
Seebeck Effect
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The Seebeck Effect
The Seebeck effect is a phenomenon in which a temperature difference between two dissimilar
electrical conductors or semiconductors (shown right as red and blue boxes) produces a
voltage difference between the two substances.
When heat is applied to one of the two conductors or semiconductors, heated electrons flow
toward the cooler one. If the pair is connected through an electrical circuit, direct current
(DC) flows through that circuit.
The voltages produced by Seebeck effect are small, usually only
a few microvolts (millionths of a volt) per kelvin of temperature
difference at the junction. If the temperature difference is
large enough, some Seebeck-effect devices can produce a few
millivolts (thousandths of a volt).
Numerous such devices can be connected in series to increase
the output voltage or in parallel to increase the maximum
deliverable current. Large arrays of Seebeck-effect devices
can provide useful, small-scale electrical power if a large
temperature difference is maintained across the junctions.
A Typical Seebeck Effect Measurement System
A typical variable temperature Seebeck Measurement system includes:
High purity high-pressure gas (typically nitrogen or argon)
A filter/dryer apparatus and high pressure gas line tubing
The Thermal Stage
MMRs Programmable temperature controller and Seebeck Measurement Controller
A vacuum chamber with pre-amplifier board that can be matched to the sample properties
Sample mounting stage with built in reference
Vacuum Pump
Computer
Available Temperature Ranges on Thermal Stages
When a system is held under a vacuum pressure of at least 8 milliTorr, the following temperature ranges are available on the MMR
Technologies instruments:
Room Temperature
70K to 580K
*
80K to 580K
70K to 730K
*
80K to 730K
Room temperature to 730K
* Vacuum assist Joule-Thomson thermal stages require an auxiliary vacuum pump at the thermal stage gas exhaust. These thermal stages are not available on ultra high vacuum or scanning electron
microscope systems.
The Seebeck and Temperature Controllers
MMR Technologies Unique Temperature Controller
MMR Technologies offers a unique Programmable Temperature Controller is exclusively intended for use with our patented cryogenic
cooling and thermal stage systems. This controller provides accurate temperature measurement, precise and very stable temperature
control and easy-to-use data acquisition functions over the temperature range from 70K to 730K. Controlled cycling, temperature ramping
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and changing temperature operation under software control gives the user a valuable tool for solid state characterization studies.
Seebeck Controller
MMR Technologies offer a turnkey solution with their Programmable Temperature Controller and their Seebeck Measurement Controller.
The two controllers work together, operated by the Seebeck Measurement software to provide an integrated tempeature control both of the
overall sample area and the small required temperature gradient. The precision and accuracy of these controllers offer 50 nVolt resolution
in measurements.
The Seebeck Vacuum Chamber and Sample Stage
The Seebeck sample is mounted within a vacuum chamber containing a pre-amplifier board, sample mounting stage, and thermal stage.
There are several different pre-amplifier boards
available - to accomodate both low and high impedence
samples, as well as a wide range of gains to optimize the
signal to noise ratio.
The thermal stage is a Joule-Thomson thermal stage
- with temperature ranges for the overall experiment
available from 70K to 730K under a vacuum environment.
The chamber is optimized for operation under vacuum
conditions to remove any error from air currents in the
chamber.
The sample mounting stage contains two
thermocouples. One thermocouple is formed of junctions of copper and a constantan reference material. The other thermocouple is
formed of a junction of copper and the material whose Seebeck Properties is to be measured. The system uses a sophisticated double
reference measurement technique to yield precise, producible results.
Specifications for the Seebeck Measurement System
Operating Temperature Range: Available between 70K and 730K*
Dimensions of Vacuum Chamber: Width: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
Length: 6.0 in (16.54 cm)
Depth: 1.45 in (3.7 cm) - electrical connection end
Depth: 1.45 in (3.7 cm) - sample mounting end
Working Distance: 0.47 in (12 mm)
Maximum Thermal Range Measureable:
+
/- 50 nVolt
Mismatch of gains of reference and test channels: < 0.1%
Minimum step of the power to heater unit: 0.1 mWatt (which determines temperature difference across the sample)
Maximum step of the power to heater unit: 900 mWatts max
Number of readings to be averaged automatically: up to 128
Reference Material: Constantan - simultaneously run against the sample of interest
Temperature Sensor: Platinum Resistance Thermometer
Sample Mounting Surface Size: 10 mm x 12 mm
Sample Length: 2 mm to 10 mm(dependent on the mounting technique)
Controller Requirements: MMRs Programmable Temperature and Seebeck Measurement Controllers
Filter/Dryer Requirements: Either the standard filter dryer or the reversible filter dryer system
Gas Requirements: 99.998% Pre-Purified Nitrogen or Argon Gas of at least 1800 psi delivery pressure
Vacuum Requirements: 8 milliTorr or less within the vacuum chamber
* For more information on Joule Thomson Thermal Stages refer to the product data sheet for these components.
** Specifications listed here are for systems with the full available operating temperature range of 70K to 730K.
MMR Technologies, Inc.
1400 N. Shoreline Blvd, Suite A5
Mountain View, CA 94043
Phone: +1 (650) 962-9622
Fax: +1 (650) 962-9647
E-Mail: sales@mmr-tech.com
Website: www.mmr-tech.com
Features and Benefits
In addition to all the advantages inherent in the usage of Joule Thomson Thermal Stages as the source of temperature control in these
setups, the MMR Technologies Seebeck Measurement System offers many advantages in scientific applications:
50 nVolt resolution in Seebeck Measurements
Ease of measurement of samples ranging from metals to thin films.
Highly accurate and highly reproducible results.
Automatic operation in a single step against an internal reference material.
Small, compact size.
Wide range of operation: 70K to 730K
A wide range of sample types can be measured including single crystals, thin films, wires, etc.
Automation of the thermopower measurements provides the following advantages:
Continuous computer-controlled tuning of the experimental parameters can produce a temperature gradient with nearly constant
magnitude and period.
An order of magnitude increase in the density of collected data is readily achieved
A consistent data reduction process is used for each set of measurements obtained
Overall, these factors allow the MMR Technologies Seebeck Effect Measurement system be incredibly accurate with highly reproducible
results.
Applications
Temperature dependent thermoelectric power (thermopower) measurements on electrically conductive specimens can provide information
about the sign of the majority carrier, the mechanism of charge conduction, and in conjunction with appropriate theoretical models,
information on the band structure of the material under investigation. Thermopower measurements are also an effective way of determining
the intrinsic properties of samples having an electrical conductivity that is dominated by an extrinsic defect structure. A high sensitivity
to structural change makes thermopower measurements an excellent technique for the study of structural phase conditions on the charge
transport properties of a given material.
Research into thermoelectric materials is important in the fields of energy conservation and alternative energy sources. Developing better
materials is of extreme importance in the industries of:
Automobiles and Fuel Consumption
Energy Efficiency
Alternate Energy Sources
Thermoelectric refrigeration
And many other industries and research areas - new ones every year.
These systems share many components with the Hall Effect Measurement systems - and can be sold as stand alone systems or as an upgrade.