Macroscopic variations of surface potentials of conductors

The surface potential variations of the following conductors have been measured over a 0.7 cm2 area: bronze, NiP, conducting polymer (polyaniline), Al, Cu, Au, and graphite. The measurements were performed with a Kelvin probe of spatial and potential resolution of 1.5 mm and 1 mV, respectively. Subj...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 1991-05, Vol.69 (10), p.7126-7129
Main Authors: CAMP, J. B, DARLING, T. W, BROWN, R. E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
360103 - Metals & Alloys- Mechanical Properties
360603 - Materials- Properties
ALLOYS
ANNEALING
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Electronic structure and electrical properties of surfaces, interfaces, thin films and low-dimensional structures
ELEMENTS
Exact sciences and technology
FLUCTUATIONS
HEAT TREATMENTS
MATERIALS SCIENCE
METALS
Physics
POLYMERS
POTENTIALS
RESOLUTION
Surface conductivity and carrier phenomena
SURFACE POTENTIAL
ULTRAHIGH VACUUM
VARIATIONS
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Summary:The surface potential variations of the following conductors have been measured over a 0.7 cm2 area: bronze, NiP, conducting polymer (polyaniline), Al, Cu, Au, and graphite. The measurements were performed with a Kelvin probe of spatial and potential resolution of 1.5 mm and 1 mV, respectively. Subjecting the surfaces to no cleaning procedure other than a low temperature ultrahigh vacuum bake, we find a wide spectrum of variation in surface potential uniformity, with alloys typically the least uniform and nonreactive surfaces such as gold and graphite the most uniform (no fluctuations above the 1 mV probe sensitivity). Application of these results to the Los Alamos antiproton gravity experiment is discussed.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.347601