A Variable Temperature Thermoelectric Probe Station with Magnetic Field Manipulation
Abstract
This proposal aims to acquire a specialized instrument capable of providing high-qualitycurrent-voltage data for flexible electronic applications. This proposed probe station instrument isunique in that it allows for samples to be tested: (1) in inert atmosphere environments; (2) acrossa wide range of operating temperatures (i.e., 5 K < T < 500 K); and (3) in the presence of magneticfields up to 2.5 T in strength. Furthermore, it allows for the transfer of samples from the inertatmosphere device fabrication environment to the testing stage without exposing the materials ordevices to ambient conditions. This is critical as the optoelectronic properties of semiconductingpolymers are known to be heavily dependent on exposure to oxygen and moisture in theenvironment. Uniquely, the sample stage on which the devices will rest within the probe stationchamber will be separated by a small gap. This will afford two stages that can have theirtemperatures controlled independently of one another. This separated stage is a custom-builtfeature of the instrument, and it will provide our team a distinctive instrument relative to otherresearchers around the world. In particular, this instrument will allow our team to evaluate neverbefore-seen semiconducting polymers that contain open-shell functionalities within themacromolecules. By utilizing this probe station equipped with a variable magnetic field source,we will be able to decouple the fundamental physics behind the flow of charge, spin, and energyin next-generation organic electronic systems. Successful development of these materials anddevices will afford paradigm shifts in how solid-state energy conversion, energy storage, and logicsystems are implemented to the warfighter and across the Department of Defense. In this way, weanticipate that the acquisition of this instrument will to lead to significant advances in basic scienceto support global defense missions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501710448
Entities
People
- Bryan W Boudouris
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Virginia