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Thermoreflectance by Pulsed Light Heating NanoTR/PicoTR

Thermoreflectance by Pulsed Light Heating NanoTR/PicoTR

Thermoreflectance by Pulsed Light Heating NanoTR/PicoTR

Product catalog summary
Introduction
Thermoreflectance by pulsed light heating is a technique for analyzing thermophysical properties of thin films, such as thermal diffusivity, effusivity, conductivity, and interfacial thermal resistance. It is essential for industries developing advanced electronics, thermoelectric materials, and thermal barrier coatings.
Laser Flash Method and Thermoreflectance
The laser flash method (LFA) is used for determining thermal diffusivity and conductivity in materials with thicknesses from 50 μm to 10 mm. For nanometer-thick films, thermoreflectance is more suitable, allowing precise measurements of thin films' thermal properties.
Measurement Techniques
Thermoreflectance measures changes in reflected light due to temperature changes using a pump laser to heat the film and a probe laser to monitor temperature changes. It can be applied in two configurations: rear heating/front detection (RF) for transparent substrates and front heating/front detection (FF) for opaque substrates.
Applications and Instrumentation
The NanoTR and PicoTR instruments, developed by PicoTherm Corporation, measure thermal properties in thin films. NanoTR uses a 1-ns pulse width laser, while PicoTR uses a 0.5-ps pulse width laser. Both instruments can switch between RF and FF modes and comply with JIS standards.
Data Analysis and Results
Data from thermoreflectance measurements calculate thermal diffusivity and interfacial thermal resistance. For example, titanium nitride thin films have a thermal diffusivity of approximately 3.44×10-6 m²/s. The technique also analyzes multilayer structures to determine thermal resistance and diffusivity.
Conclusion
Thermoreflectance by pulsed light heating provides a fast and accurate method for analyzing the thermal properties of thin films, crucial for developing modern electronic and energy materials.
Overview
The document provides technical specifications and operational details for the NanoTR and PicoTR instruments, calibrated to Japanese standards and suitable for both opaque and transparent substrates.
Specifications
  • Calibration and Standards: Instruments are traceable to Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS R 1689 and JIS R 1690) using reference materials from AIST, Japan.
  • Laser Specifications: NanoTR uses a 1 ns pulse width pump laser and a continuous wave probe laser. PicoTR uses a 0.5 ps pulse width pump and probe laser.
  • Measurement Capabilities: Both instruments measure thermal diffusivity, effusivity, and interfacial resistance. NanoTR measures in less than 30 seconds, PicoTR in less than 5 minutes.
  • Sample Requirements: Instruments handle different film thicknesses depending on material type and mode (RF or FF).
  • Thermal Diffusivity Range: Range of 0.01 to 1000 mm²/s with specific accuracy and repeatability metrics.
  • Software and Analysis: Software allows multi-layer analysis and database management, running on Microsoft Windows, providing real-time display and analysis.
Operational Modes
  • RF Mode: Measures thermal diffusivity cross-sectionally using rear heating and front detection.
  • FF Mode: Measures thermal effusivity using front heating and detection, fitting lock-in phase signals to simulated thermoreflectance signals.
Company Information
NETZSCH-Gerätebau GmbH, based in Germany, offers a wide range of solutions in thermal analysis and other fields, emphasizing customer service and excellence.
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Catalog excerpts

Thermoreflectance by Pulsed Light Heating NanoTR/PicoTR-1

Thermoreflectance by Pulsed Light Heating NanoTR/PicoTR Thermophysical Analysis of Thin Films: Thermal Diffusivity, Thermal Effusivity, Thermal Conductivity and Interfacial Thermal Resistance Analyzing & Testing

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Thermoreflectance by Pulsed Light Heating NanoTR/PicoTR-2

THERMOREFLECTANCE The Method for the Determination of the Thermal Diffusivity in the Nanometer Thickess Range With the significant progress in the design of electronic devices and the associated need for efficient thermal management, accurate thermal diffusivity / thermal conductivity measurements in the nanometer range are crucial more than ever. Materials with such thicknesses are used in phase-change memories (PCM), thermoelectric thin films, light emitting diodes (LED), interlayer dielectrics, and transparent conductive films (FPD), etc. The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science...

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Thermoreflectance by Pulsed Light Heating NanoTR/PicoTR-3

WHY MEASURING THIN FILMS? Thermophysical Properties of Thin Films are Different from that of Bulk Materials The plot below indicates the dependency of thermal diffusivity on the grain size. At decreasing grain size (film thickness), the thermal diffusivity values decrease, especially close to the mean free path of electrons (~1.5×10-5 m2/s at 15 nm). The thermal diffusivity of bulk material is ~5.4×10-5 m2/s and therefore three to four times higher. For this reason, it is essential to determine the thermal diffusivity of thin films as well. The thicknesses of nanometer-thin films are often less...

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Thermoreflectance by Pulsed Light Heating NanoTR/PicoTR-4

Thermoreflectance Methods TIME DOMAIN THERMOREFLECTANCE – REAR HEATING/FRONT DETECTION (RF) Determination of Thermal Diffusivity and Interfacial Thermal Resistance The fact that the thermophysical properties of thin layers and films differ considerably from those of the corresponding bulk material requires a technique which overcomes the limitations of the classical laser flash method (LFA). This so-called ultrafast laser flash technique is also known as rear heating/front detection (RF) mode. The measurement setup is similar to the conventional LFA: detector and laser are on opposite sides of...

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Thermoreflectance by Pulsed Light Heating NanoTR/PicoTR-5

Temperature History Curve of TiN Thin Films Consisting of Different Thicknesses 200 nm Amplitude (normalized) Amplitude (normalized) Amplitude (normalized) Amplitude (normalized) This plot shows temperature nm films, 200-, excursions of TiN200thin 400- and 600-nm thick, measured in the RF configuration. The front surface of the thin films was heated by laser pulses, and the resultant temperature rise of the ∙10-6 m /s back surface was monitored. Temperature History Curve of an OEL Thin Film Between Two Metal Layers Al Al NanoTR is in accordance with JIS R 1689, JIS R 1690, and SI traceable by...

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Thermoreflectance by Pulsed Light Heating NanoTR/PicoTR-6

Applications Temperature History Curve of a ZnO Thin Film on a Transparent Substrate Due to its wide band gap and large exciton-binding energy, ZnO has been attractive for applications in optoelectronic devices, ultra-violet emitters, sensors, etc. Thermoreflectance signal PicoTR measurements on ZnO samples in FF configuration (see picture below): 100 nm Mo on ZnO 420 nm (red); 100 nm Mo on ZnO 130 nm (light green); 100 nm Mo on ZrO2 (purple); 100 nm Mo on quartz (blue) As expected, this example demonstrates that the cooling rate of the surface temperature is influenced by the thermal effusivity...

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Thermoreflectance by Pulsed Light Heating NanoTR/PicoTR-7

Technical Specifications Temperature History Curve of SiO2 Thin Films Mo thin layers were deposited on both sides of the SiO2 thin films, and triple layer analysis was applied. For each of the curves obtained with the different layers of SiO2, the areal heat diffusion time* was calculated and plotted as α function of thickness. Based on these results, the thermal resistance of the SiO2/Mo interface and the thermal diffusivity (α) of the SiO2 layer can be calculated to 8.8×10-7 m2/s using the formula: Thermorelectance signal/a.u. Thermorelectance signal/a.u. Thermorelectance signal/a.u. The upper...

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Thermoreflectance by Pulsed Light Heating NanoTR/PicoTR-8

OBTAINING RESULTS IN SECONDS IN-SITU DISPLAY AND ANALYZING Rear heating/front detection (RF mode) The thermal diffusivity is measured cross sectionally using RF configuration. The obtained temperature rise curves fit with the theoretical equation to determine heat diffusion times (Mirror image method). The state-of-the-art measurement/analysis software of NanoTR/PicoTR has an easy-to-handle user interface which allows for precise determination of the thermal properties of thin films. Focusing of the laser beam can be adjusted by the software and a CCD picture can be obtained. NanoTR/PicoTR software...

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Thermoreflectance by Pulsed Light Heating NanoTR/PicoTR-9

The NETZSCH Group is an owner-managed, international technology company with headquarters in Germany. The Business Units Analyzing & Testing, Grinding & Dispersing and Pumps & Systems represent customized solutions at the highest level. A worldwide sales and service network ensure customer proximity and competent service. Our performance standards are high. We promise our customers Proven Excellence – exceptional performance in everything we do, proven time and again since 1873. NETZSCH-Gerätebau GmbH Wittelsbacherstraße 42 95100 Selb, Germany Tel.: +49 9287 881-0 Fax: +49 9287 881-505 [email protected]...

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