Acquisition of Electronic Instrumentation for NanoScience Research and Education

University Of Notre Dame, Notre Dame IN

Investigators

Abstract

The NanoScience and Technology Center of the University of Notre Dame is creating a NanoScience Measurements Laboratory to provide state-of-the-art instrumentation for the characterization of the electronic properties of nanoelectronic, nanomechanical, molecular, and superconducting materials and devices, as well as state-of-the art semiconductor devices and circuits. This major research instrumentation grant will be located in the College of Engineering and support research and teaching across the university including the departments of Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Physics. The instrumentation purchased will provide precision current-voltage and impedance measurements from dc to 110 MHz, 300 mW to 500 MW, with triaxially-guarded cabling and low current and voltage resolution (10 fA and 2 mV). Ease of use and rapid sample exchange will be enabled by use of a Cascade thermal probe station which handles samples from centimeter-sized pieces to 8-inch wafers and with a temperature-controlled chuck (- 65 to 200 C). A computer provides for data acquisition, instrument control, and storage. This system will benefit users across the University of Notre Dame including undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. External use and collaborations will be encouraged.