<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Determination of electric potential difference using the Kelvin probe, i.e. vibrating capacitor technique, is one of the most sensitive measuring procedures in surface physics. Periodic modulation of distance between electrodes leads to changes in capacitance, thereby causing current to flow through the external circuit. The procedure of contactless, non-destructive determination of contact potential difference between an electrically conductive vibrating reference electrode and an electrically conductive sample is based on precise control measurement of Kelvin current flowing through a capacitor. The present research is devoted to creation of a new low-cost miniaturised measurement system to determine potential difference in real time and at high measurement resolution. Furthermore, using the electrode of a reference probe, the Kelvin method leads to both the indirect measurement of an electronic work function, or a contact potential of sample, and of a surface potential for insulator type samples.</p><p>In the article, the first part of the research, i.e., the basic principles and prerequisites for establishment of such a measurement system are considered.</p></abstract>

Determination of electric potential difference using the Kelvin probe, i.e. vibrating capacitor technique, is one of the most sensitive measuring procedures in surface physics. Periodic modulation of distance between electrodes leads to changes in capacitance, thereby causing current to flow through the external circuit. The procedure of contactless, non-destructive determination of contact potential difference between an electrically conductive vibrating reference electrode and an electrically conductive sample is based on precise control measurement of Kelvin current flowing through a capacitor. The present research is devoted to creation of a new low-cost miniaturised measurement system to determine potential difference in real time and at high measurement resolution. Furthermore, using the electrode of a reference probe, the Kelvin method leads to both the indirect measurement of an electronic work function, or a contact potential of sample, and of a surface potential for insulator type samples.In the article, the first part of the research, i.e., the basic principles and prerequisites for establishment of such a measurement system are considered.

Determination of Contact Potential Difference by the Kelvin Probe (Part I) I. Basic Principles of Measurements

Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, Riga, LATVIA

Latvian Journal of Physics and Technical Sciences

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Determination of electric potential difference using the Kelvin probe, i.e. vibrating capacitor technique, is one of the most sensitive measuring procedures in...

Determination of Contact Potential Difference by the Kelvin Probe (Part I) I. Basic Principles of Measurements

Published Online: May 20, 2016

Page range: 48 - 57

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/lpts-2016-0013

Keywords
Kelvin probe, contact potential difference, surface potential

© 2016 O. Vilitis et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Determination of Contact Potential Difference by the Kelvin Probe (Part I) I. Basic Principles of Measurements

Published Online: May 20, 2016

Page range: 48 - 57

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/lpts-2016-0013

KeywordsKelvin probe, contact potential difference, surface potential

© 2016 O. Vilitis et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Kelvin probe, contact potential difference, surface potential