Alfred University : Inamori School of Engineering : Laboratory for Electronic Ceramics (LEC)

Inamori School of Engineering

Laboratory for Electronic Ceramics (LEC)
McMahon Building, 2nd Floor

The Laboratory for Electronic Ceramics houses a well-equipped suite of equipment for measuring a broad range of electrical properties of materials over an exceptional range of environments. Three LabView-controlled environmental systems are designed to cover a very broad range of measurement conditions. The various systems can use an HP 4192 impedance analyzer , Solartron 12605W, or an HP 4274A LCR meter. These meters cover low-field electrical parameters (10 µHz to 13 MHz) of capacitance, inductance, resistance, impedance, dissipation factor and in special cases electromechanical resonance. Three types of environmental systems have temperature ranges of 20K to 25C, 150K to 195C and 25C to 1100C.

Controlled atmosphere and measured oxygen content is available at 25C and above. DC resistance and charge integration options are also available to measure conduction and pyroelectric response (Keithley 617 Electrometer or HP 4140B pA meter). DC bias may be applied to, at least, 200 VDC.

High power resistance can be determined using a Sony/Tektronix 371 High Power Curve Tracer. Piezoelectric characterization is conducted by scalar (HP 3585A) and impedance circle methods. A Berlincourt d33 meter is available. Strain and polarization as a function of field measurements can be conducted from 20K to 280C at low frequencies. Room temperature impedance is measured to 1Ghz by an HP4191A and dielectric failure with a Hipotronics 750. Two additional LabView-based systems are available for measuring DC conductivity and combined conductivity and Seebeck coefficient as a function of temperature and atmospheric conditions.

For more information about research, contact Dr. Doreen Edwards or Dr. Walter Schulze.

For information about student training and equipment maintenance, contact Fran Williams.