Lake Shore Cryotronics

Congrats to Penn State University’s Materials Research Institute, whose research was featured in a “B1G Impact Research” segment that aired during the B1G Network's recent broadcast of the Penn State vs. Kent State 🏈 football game. The segment focused on the institute's work developing new sustainable microchip materials that will improve the performance of everyday technology, like smartphones. Also seen in the segment: our CRX-VF cryogenic probe station being used as part of their research. We are excited to see the advancements that have yet to come from the institute! Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/e4V2uArW #AdvancingScience #MaterialsScience

Meet Ogi Karabatković, Technical Support Engineer, who has been with Lake Shore Cryotronics since 2008. https://hubs.li/Q01KH2-G0

Low-level voltage and current sourcing and measurements are important parameters often used to characterize electronic devices and materials, and sometimes, they are performed in combination with temperature, field, and other variables applied to research samples. Foundational to designing next-generation semiconductor components, measuring a sample’s precise response to the application of small voltages and currents can provide valuable insights when exploring new electronic materials and devices and when testing fully built function component designs. However, setting up such a system to sufficiently make — and reliably replicate — such measurements isn’t typically a straightforward process. This is because: 🔹Typical sample and device characterization applications frequently require the use of a combination of both DC and AC instruments, often sourced from multiple vendors 🔹These experimental setups can involve physically large sample apparatus machinery, requiring long signal cables between the sample and instruments 🔹Many applications require multiple channels of source and measure capabilities, creating sampling rate and channel to channel synchronization challenges 🔹“Rack and stack” multi-instrument approaches to modularity and mixed-signal types have typically required high levels of operator skill for precise and reliable results 🔹As source and measure channel counts increase, so does the need for redundant, separate instruments — that can add to the overall cost and complexity of implementation Access our e-book to learn about a new approach to instrumenting low-level measurement setups: https://hubs.ly/Q02GN9Nt0 #M81SSM #DeviceResearch #MaterialsScience #MaterialCharacterization

First order reversal curve (FORC) measurements provide information regarding magnetic interactions and coercivity distributions that cannot be obtained from hysteresis loop material measurements alone. Temperature-FORC (T-FORC) measurements take this capability further. They extend the FORC measurement and analysis protocol to magnetic materials that exhibit thermal hysteresis, such as for determining magnetoelastic or magnetostructural phase transitions as a function of temperature. This new app note, written by Lake Shore Cryotronics in collaboration with Victorio Franco and Luis M. Moreno-Ramirez of the Univ. of Sevilla, discusses T-FORC measurement techniques and analysis, and specifically presents results for a magnetocaloric alloy sample. The results are recorded using our Model 8607 VSM with either an 86‑CRYO or 86‑SSVT variable temperature option, and the data is analyzed using Lake Shore’s RTForc™ software. Access the app note: https://hubs.li/Q02DKv_F0 📢 Attending next week’s ICM in Italy? Be sure to see a related T-FORC poster presentation at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Room 19 of the conference hall. Cosmin Radu of Lake Shore, a co-author of the app note, and Victorino Franco will be co-presenting. #VSM #FORC

The M91 FastHall™ measurement controller combines all the necessary HMS functions into a single instrument, automating and optimizing the measurement process and directly reporting the calculated parameters. The M91 is extremely fast, reducing analysis time in some cases by 100×. Extreme high resistance (up to 200 GΩ) or low mobility (~0.001 cm₂/V s) samples can generally be analyzed in under 2 min. With other HMS techniques, this could take hours to complete. The FastHall™ Station is the ideal solution for measuring low-mobility materials. The FastHall™ Station includes a PC, 1 T permanent magnet, high precision sample holder, and all the necessary software and cabling to provide a range of measurement capabilities, including sample resistances up to 1 GΩ and mobility measurements down to 0.01 cm₂/V s. Contact our sales experts for more information: sales@lakeshore.com #HallAnalysis #LowMobility

What are some challenges you have faced when characterizing ultra-small structures? This tech note shows how the M81-SSM enables a faster approach to low-level measurements of nanostructures. Read tech note: https://hubs.li/Q024QJky0 #AdvancingScience #Nanostructures

The RGC runs helium in a closed loop, making a continuous flow cryostat cryogen-free. Helium gas is cooled and liquefied by the RGC’s cryocooler and travels to the cryostat through a flexible vacuum-insulated transfer line. LHe cools the sample. The RGC captures the evaporated gas through the transfer line and reliquefies it, continuously recirculating the helium. Learn more about the RGC: https://lnkd.in/ek5rFfNh #LHe #Cryogens

Finding a good place to mount cryogenic sensors in some locations, like an already crowded cryostat, is never easy. In general, a setup where the entire load and sample is at the same temperature is the goal. Unfortunately, this may not always be possible, resulting in temperature gradients (differences in temperature). These exist because there is seldom a perfect balance between the cooling source and heat sources. Even in a well-controlled system, unwanted heat sources like thermal radiation and heat conducting through mounting structures can cause gradients. So for the best temperature measurement accuracy, position sensors near the sample so that little or no heat flows between the sample and sensor. But keep in mind: This may not be the best location for temperature control. The best control stability is achieved when the feedback sensor is near both the heater and cooling source to reduce thermal lag. And if both control stability and measurement accuracy are critical, it may be necessary for you to use two sensors—one for each function. Many temperature controllers, like the Lake Shore Model 336, have multiple sensor inputs for this very reason. Cryogenics temperature monitors are also helpful in other areas of a system. Learn more about cryogenic sensor installation techniques: https://hubs.li/Q02F4ffK0 #Cryogenics #CryogenicSensors #MaterialsScience

When using a cryogenic probe station, wafer mounting methodologies are a key element of wafer-level characterization. The mounting materials and approach will influence device temperature, sample exchange time, and even the ability to post process a wafer after characterization. To learn more about the mounting methods commonly used in cryogenic probe stations, download our app note, “Wafer Mounting in a Lake Shore Cryogenic Probe Station.” It discusses in detail the methods while listing the advantages and disadvantages for each, including: 🔹GE varnish 🔹Vacuum grease and clamping 🔹Electrically conductive silver paint, silver paste, or carbon paste compounds 🔹Cyanoacrylate adhesives Access the app note: https://hubs.li/Q028cWRP0 #ProbeStations

Ground loops and imbalanced lead/contact resistance are common causes of noise in your measurements. The M81-SSM combines the absolute precision of DC with the detection sensitivity of an AC lock-in, the system provides electrical measurements from DC to 100 kHz with sensitivity down to a noise floor of 3.2 nV/√Hz at 1 kHz. It features compact source/measure modules (2 to 6 channels) and is simpler to set up, configure, and operate combining multiple instruments in one. Enhance your measurement precision by overcoming common-mode noise interference: https://hubs.ly/Q024rWb90 #MaterialsScience #LakeShoreCryo #Materials #Characterization #LockIn #LockInAmplifier #NoiseRejection