Four Point Probes |
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SRM Probe Head combined with RM3-AR Test Unit features high accuracy, an excellent range, and many features which simplify the four point probing measurement: SRM Probe Head Combined with RM3-AR Test Unit .
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HM21-SRM Hand Held Meter with SRM Probe Head |
Four Point Probing System for Measuring Silicon Pot Scrap, Ingots, and Remelt
HM21-SRM Hand Held Meter with SRM Probe Head |
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The HM21-SRM is a portable system that can accurately measure silicon tops and tails, potscrap, and ingots. The key to the simplicity of this application is the fact that setting the input current to 1mA produces a read-out value in millivolts that is numerically equivalent to bulk resistivity expressed in ohms-cm. Two factors account for the ease in which the HM21-SRM can be used for this application, as follows:
1) The HM21 four point probe electronics has a selection for setting the input current to 1 milliamp. It actually has a total of six user selectable input current choices as follows: 100nA, 1uA, 10uA, 100uA, 1mA, and 10mA.
2) The user can select to have the meter read-out in millivolts, which is equivalent to the ohms-cm value when the input current of 1mA is selected.
Why does this work? Resistivity = 2 x pi x s x V/I (where s is the probe spacing in cm). If one uses a probe head with tip spacing of 1.591mm (62.6 mils), since 1.591mm is 1/(2 x pi)cm, it cancels out to V/I Resistivity = 1 x V/I Therefore a unit current of 1mA will give a mV reading numerically equivalent to the resistivity in ohm-cm. The HM21 only supplies currents in multiples of 10 - so it is a simple multiplication factor if the 1mA range is not suitable For example, if the input current is set to 100uA (1/10 of 1mA) then the resulting mV value needs to be multiplied by 10 to give the correct resistivity. If an input current of 10mA is used (10 times 1mA), then the resulting mV value needs to be divided by 10 to give the correct resistivity. If a probe head with tip spacing of 1.59mm (62.5mils) is used, then multiply the mV value displayed on the HM21 by these multipliers, based upon the input current, to arrive at the ohms-cm value:
Make sure that you press the Ohms/Square button to toggle into the mV mode and out of the ohms-per-square mode. You need to be in the mode where the display shows mV values. To verify that an ohms-cm value is valid, drive the current foward and then reverse while probing the bulk material (press the FWD and REV buttons). The mV values should be similar, but with a minus sign displayed for the reverse value.
The unit is push button operated. The current is increased with the 'INC' button and decreased with the 'DEC' button. Forward and reverse current can be selected using the 'FWD' and 'REV' buttons, which is a common way to check the validity of a measurement by checking the forward and reverse voltage values for consistancy. When the battery mode is used, the unit returns to standby automatically to save power and turns off altogether after some period of inactivity. The automatic time to return to standby is 70 seconds with low current and with the 3 highest currents 40 seconds. This is because the lower current ranges are used with higher impedance which can take longer to settle, and the higher currents drain the power faster. The unit can be zeroed to remove any offset by pressing the Standby button when the unit is already in Standby. The HM21 includes on-board non-volatile memory so that fifty measurements can be stored in the unit and then dowloaded to a PC later. When connected to a PC using the included software, the HM21 can save the data, or bulk resistivity values (ohms-cm) can be calculated. If the HM21 is connected to a PC using the software, the unit can be operated via the user interface which is an illustration of the HM21 on the computer screen. Clicking the "save" button on the computer screen saves the data to the PC. Files are stored in the CSV format which opens automatically in Excel. The HM21 reads-out directly in either millivolts or sheet resistance (ohms-per-square) without using a PC or the software.
Four-Point-Probes is a division of Bridge Technology. To request further information please call Bridge Technology at (480) 988-2256 or send e-mail to Larry Bridge at: sales@bridgetec.com |
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