A Focus on Linkam Thermal Stages for Electrical Measurements

Understanding the thermo-electrical properties of materials is critical, as new and existing materials are continually being developed and altered to meet industry demands. Linkam Scientific has been creating sample characterization solutions for the microelectronics and semiconductor fields for many years and their stages enable accurate temperature control ranging from -195°C to 1500°C. The stage environment can also be controlled to offer gas purging, controlled vacuum or humidity options. To allow electrical and probe measurements, Linkam stages are fitted with gold-tipped tungsten needle probes or spring-clip posts which can be coupled to a variety of output connectors. Linkam stages are compatible with light microscopy and spectroscopy including Raman and X-ray. Electrical and probe versions are available for many of our stage types, including:

HFS E series stages offer a temperature range of -195°C to 600°C, with options including probes and electrical posts, as well as vacuum and gas purging.

Professor Chunxioa Cong, Fudan University – School of Information Science and Technology, used the HFS600E stage in a study of graphene layers:
“The Linkam stage was crucial for temperature-dependent Raman measurement. The HFS600EPB4 stage was compatible with the confocal low-frequency micro-Raman system, which helped to realize the in-situ temperature-dependent Raman study for revealing the vibrational symmetry, anharmonicity and electron-phonon coupling of the shear modes in ultra-low frequency range of graphene layers.”

THMS E series stages offer sample manipulation using precision ground manipulators, a temperature range from < -195°C to 600°C, with options including electrical posts, as well as vacuum, gas purging and humidity control.

Dr Wing Chung Tsoi, Swansea University, praised the THMS600 stage and RH95 humidity system used in a study of degradation and homogeneity of embedded perovskite semiconducting layers in photovoltaic devices:
“THMS600 stage was used to control the gas environment and temperature of perovskite solar cells, and with a RH95 humidity system, the humidity around the solar cells can be controlled accurately. These controlled environments allow the study of the stability of the solar cells in details, in particular the crucial humidity-related degradation.”

LTS420 E series stages are ideal for those requiring a larger sample area, a temperature range from -195°C to 420°C, with options including probes and electrical posts, as well as gas purging and humidity control.

Associate Professor Sharath Sriram, RMIT University – Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group, used probe systems including the LTD420E-PB4 in a study of the influence of electric field on SERS:
“Linkam stages with electrical probes are integral to our research activities. Our reliance on these stages is highlighted by us having bought six of these over the last few years. The integrated electrical probes combined with heating, cooling, and optical ports has allowed us to explore a number of sensor technologies spanning optics, gas, and conductometric devices. These stages enable critical fundamental materials insight too, for the in situ study of phase transformations.”

LTS120 E series peltier stages offer a larger sample area and a temperature range between -40°C (dependent upon water temperature) and 120°C without the need for liquid nitrogen, and with options including probes and electrical posts.

TS E series stages are designed for high extreme research. They offer a temperature range from ambient to 1500°C, with options including probes and electrical posts, as well as vacuum and gas purging.

Linkam Scientific manufactures the most advanced thermo-electrical stages to help scientists characterize materials from polymers to biological tissues and from metals to composites, and McCrone is proud to be their preferred US vendor. We are happy to run a demonstration for you – contact us today to learn more about these exciting Linkam stages.