LZT-Meter
combined LSR/LFA
Description
On point
The Linseis LZT Meter is the world’s first commercially available instrument that allows the determination of the thermoelectric Figure of Merrit ZT by means of a combined LaserFlash (LFA 1000) and LSR measurement in a single instrument.
Accordingly, an independent determination of the thermal conductivity by means of a flash method as well as a measurement of the electrical resistance and of the Seebeck-Coefficient (known from the LSR platform) can be carried out with this measuring device.
The advantage is obvious: The integrated design can save both, expensive laboratory space and unnecessary costs for double furnaces, measuring electronics and other equipment. Thus, the LZT-Meter is the ideal solution for research and development applications where the focus is not set on high sample throughput but on measurement quality and cost-efficiency. Because for the complete ZT-characterization of the sample, a single, disk-shaped geometry is completely sufficient.
Advantages of the combined measurement:
- Measurement of a single sample
- No geometry error
- Same stoichiometry
- No problems with further sample preparation
- Identical environmental conditions
- Temperature
- Humidity
- The atmosphere
- Furthermore, all well known advantages of the LSR-Platform
- Resistivity measurements of high-resistance samples possible
- Optional Harman measurement
- Camera option
The unit is also available with three different furnaces:
- An infrared furnace (for precise temperature control at very high and low heating rates)
- A low-temperature furnace for measurements down to -100°C
- A high-temperature furnace for measurements up to 1100°C
The supplied software package offers the possibility to evaluate all measurement data in a user-friendly way and to use the optionally integrated Harman ZT model.
Principles of measurement
Available accessories
Sample holder for disk shaped (standard) and rectangular/cylindrical samples
Although for the thermal diffusivity measurements, using the integrated Laser, the disc-shaped sample holder (10 mm, 12.7 mm or 25.4 mm in diameter) is required, the LZT-Meter can also be used to measure the Seebeck-Coefficient and resistivity only, using different other sample geometries like cylindrical samples (up to ø 6 mm x 23 mm in height) or rod-shaped samples (with a foodprint up to 5 mm x 5 mm and 23 mm in height). In the latter case, the foodprint area of the samples should ideally be smaller than or equal to the surface area of the electrodes, in order to ensure a one-dimensional flow of heat and electricity through the sample.
Thermoelements and Camera-Option
Standard thermocouple: for highest precision
Sheathed thermocouple: for challenging samples
Type K/S/C thermocouples:
- Type K for low temperature measurements
- Type S for high temperature measurements
- Type C for Pt-poisoning samples
Camera-option
- Camera-option for probe distance measurements
- Allows highest accuracy resistivity measurements
- Software package included
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Specifications
Everything at a glance
- Only one integrated device is necessary for a complete ZT characterization
- Cost effective and space efficient
- High-ohm option and variably positionable thermocouples allow reliably resistivity measurements, even for the most demanding samples
- Interchangeable furnaces enable measurements in the temperature range from -100°C to 1100°C
- Direct ZT measurement on legs (Harman method) and modules (impedance spectroscopy)
- Thermal Conductivity Measurement by LaserFlash Method
- High-speed infrared furnace available, for excellent temperature control during measurement as well as higher sample throughput
- Wide range of thermocouples available (temperature range, shrouded, freestanding)
- Camera option for high-precision resistivity measurements
Model | LSR-3 Part |
---|---|
Temperature range: | Infrared furnace: RT to 800°C/1100°C Low temperature furnace: -100°C to 500°C |
Measurement principle: | Seebeck-Coeffizient: Static-DC method / Slope-method Resistance measurement: Four-Terminal method |
Atmospheres: | Inert, reducing, oxidizing, vacuum Low pressure helium gas recommended |
Sample holder: | Vertical positioning between two electrodes Optional adapter for foils and thin films |
Sample size (cylindrical oder rectangular): | 2 to 5 mm footprint and max. 23 mm long up to 6 mm in diameter and max. 23 mm long |
Sample size round (disc shape): | 10, 12.7, 25.4 mm |
Probe distance: | 4, 6, 8 mm |
Water cooling: | required |
Measurement range Seebeck-Coefficient: | 1µV/K to 250mV/K (static dc method) Accuracy ±7% / Reproducibility ±3,5% |
Measurement range Conductivity: | 0.01 to 2×105 S/cm Accuracy ±10% / Reproducibility ±5% |
Current source: | Low drift current source from 0 to 160 mA |
Electrode material: | Nickel (-100 up to 500°C) / Platinum (-100 up to +1500°C) |
Thermocouples: | Type K/S/C |
* 5% for LSR incl. Camera-Option
Thermal Conductivity | |
Puls source: | Nd:YAG Laser (25 Joule) |
Puls duration: | 0,01 up to 5ms |
Detektor: | InSb / MCT |
Thermal Diffusivity | |
Measurement range: | 0,01 up to 1000mm2/s |
Addon | LSR-4 Upgrade |
DC Harman-method: | Direct ZT-measurement on thermoelectric legs |
AC Impedance-Spectroscopy: | Direct ZT-measurement on thermoelectric modules (TEG/Peltier-module) |
Temperature range: | -100 up to +400°C RT bis +400°C |
Sample holder: | Needle contacts for adiabatic measurement conditions |
Sample size: | 2 to 5 mm rectangular and max. 23 mm long up to 6 mm in diameter and max. 23 mm long Modules up to 50mm x 50mm |
Software
Make values comparable and visible
The powerful, Microsoft® Windows® based LINSEIS thermal analysis software performs the most important function in the preparation, execution and evaluation of thermoanalytical experiments, in addition to the utilized hardware.
With this software package, Linseis offers a comprehensive solution for programming all device-specific settings and control functions, as well as for data storage and evaluation. The package was developed by our in-house software specialists and application experts and is tested and extended since many years.
LFA properties
- Accurate pulse length correction, “pulse mapping”
- Heat loss correction
- Analysis of 2- or 3-Layer Systems
- Measurement of contact resistance of multilayer systems
- Model Wizard for the selection of the best evaluation model
- Determination of specific heat capacity
LSR Properties
- Cylindrical, square-shaped and disk-shaped samples are supported
- High- and low-temperature furnaces available
- Barrier-free programmable
- Thin film adapter for flexible as well as stable thin films
- Program wizard integrated
- Determination of the Seebeck effect, electrical conductivity and Harman-ZT
General properties
- Automatic evaluation of the Seebeck coefficient and the electrical conductivity
- Automatic control of sample contacting
- Creating Automatic Measurement Programs
- Creating temperature profiles and temperature gradients for the Seebeck measurement
- Automatic evaluation of Harman measurements (optional)
- Real-time color rendering
- Automatic and manual scaling
- Representation of the axes freely selectable (e.g. temperature (x-axis) versus delta L (y-axis))
- Mathematical calculations (e.g. first and second derivative)
- Database for archiving all measurements and evaluations
- Multitasking (different programs can be used at the same time)
- Multi-User Option (user accounts)
- Zoom options for curve cuts
- Any number of curves can be loaded on top of each other for comparison
- Online Help Menu
- Free labeling of curves
- Simplified export functions (CTRL C)
- EXCEL® and ASCII export of measurement data
- Zero curves can be calculated
- Statistical trend evaluation (mean value curve with confidence interval)
- Tabular expression of the data
Applications
Application example for LSR-funtion: Tellurid
A typical thermoelectric material from the telluride family has tested in the temperature range from RT up to 200°C. You can see the electric resistivity and Seebeck coefficient over the temperature.
Application example for LFA-function: Copper / Aluminum
The pure metals Copper and Aluminum are used in this example to demonstrate the performance of the Linseis Laser Flash device. The measurement results of the two materials are compared with literature values. The measured results vary within 2% of the given literature values; this demonstrates the excellent performance of the instrument.
Application example LFA-function: Pyroceram 9606
Standard Laser Flash reference material Pyroceram 9606. Military – transparent to radar Tops for hot plates and stirrers. Unlike metal tops, glass ceramic is easy to clean, highly resistant to scratches, corrosion and chemical attack.
Application example LFA-function: Isotropic Graphite (AIST)
This graph shows the Thermal Diffusivity values measured on a Linseis LFA 1000 compared to the values measured at AIST* Japan. The literature values of the used Isotropic Graphite from AIST* the measured results on the LFA 1000 vary by less than 2%.
*National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan
External applications
Effect of the Order-Disorder Transition on the Seebeck Coecient of Nanostructured Thermoelectric Cu2ZnSnS4 (published Nanomaterials)