Document Type
Presentation
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Conference on Undergraduate Research (UCUR) Meeting
Publication Date
2-28-2014
Abstract
By developing a low-noise, high-voltage battery power supply, system noise has been reduced, increasing accuracy of conductivity measurements of highly disordered insulating materials. The method involves a simple parallel plate capacitor setup with the sample sandwiched between electrodes, a voltage potential applied to one electrode, and a measurement device applied to the back electrode measuring current. Previous methods involved use of a commercial power supply with a claimed low noise and high linearity, but with a low AC output ripple. At high voltages (1000 V), however, the noise became apparent in the readings and an unacceptable uncertainty was introduced in our precision conductivity measurements. Through the use of a stable dc battery high-voltage power supply, we were able to reduce noise in current measurements and achieve a more accurate measurement of conductivity for various samples
Recommended Citation
Phillip Lundgreen, Justin Dekany and, JR Dennison, “Improved Conductivity Measurements of Highly Disordered Insulating Materials,” Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research (UCUR) Meeting, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, February, 28, 2014.