Academic interests
Nanotechnology, thermoelectric materials, renewable energy.
Background
- M.Sc. Nanotechnology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 2016
- Material Science, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2014-15
Publications
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Song, Xin; Riis, Henrik; Prytz, Øystein & Finstad, Terje
(2019).
Metallization of selected transition metals on ZnSb by electron beam thermal evaporation.
Show summary
The thermoelectric module made by ZnSb can be dated back to 1870, even if the performance was considerable low by today’s standard [1]. In recent decades, both the electrical properties and thermal properties of the material have been improved, attributed to introducing proper doping/co-doping and nanostructuring [2]. The figure of merit of ZnSb has been reported close to 1 or even above in a few studies [3], which is considered to be a material with a possible decent thermoelectric performance. In this study, we focus on the electrical contact resistance between ZnSb and metal contact, i.e the metallization of ZnSb. This is a step forward from optimized thermoelectric material to a useful thermoelectric device. For thermoelectric devices, ohmic contact is mostly wanted. In theory, ohmic contacts are derived from Schottly contacts and is dependent on the work function between semiconductor and metal, and doping concentration; while in reality, many other factors can have significant impacts on function and performance, for instance interface defects, adhesion, thermal expansion between semiconductor and metal, inter-diffusion and oxidation.
The scope of this work is to test the method for metallization and understand the transport at the contact. In addition, we verified the methodology for measuring contact resistance and estimated the experimental uncertainties. We selected several transition metals that are often used as electrical contact for semiconductor devices. The substrates, i.e. ZnSb with various doping concentration, have been synthesized by the hot-pressing method and prepared by the standard procedure for wafer preparation. We deposited the metal with electron beam thermal evaporation, following post-annealing at different temperatures. The structure at interface was investigated by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The contact resistance and semiconductor resistivity were extrapolated from transmission line measurements of samples subjected to different post-annealing. We compared the measurements with the idealized models combining thermionic emission, thermionic filed emission and tunneling. Although this model is an idealization, it can provide a guide for further detailed study.
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Finstad, Terje; Song, Xin; Riis, Henrik & Prytz, Øystein
(2018).
Cu Films on Thermoelectric ZnSb.
Show summary
ZnSb is a semiconductor that is experiencing a renewed interest as a thermoelectric material (as well for other applications). For thermoelectric applications the high abundance of the elements and their low toxicity are favorable. Most of the reports have been on optimizing the material without explicitly addressing the integration into a thermoelectric module. The necessary physical and electrical contacts to the material are important, challenging efficient fabrication, durability, thermal stability, thermal stress etc. The detailed understanding of the thermoelectrical material ZnSb in intimate contacts with metals is lacking. This work is our first step towards studying metal contacts to ZnSb. We start by studying deposited Cu films on ZnSb because Cu may be one of the constituents of a metallization scheme. Some of the reasons for choosing Cu is that its thermal expansion matches that of ZnSb, Cu has low cost and the technology for bonding patterns to insulator substrates like alumina is well established. Further Cu is a p-type dopant for ZnSb yielding optimum thermoelectric characteristics at the solubility limit. The solubility of Cu in ZnSb should thus promote tunneling and low contact resistance.
The Cu/ZnSb interface has been investigated after heat treatments in the temperature range 200 to 350°C. The ZnSb samples were made by hot pressing grains of ZnSb. A 100nm thick layer of Cu was e-beam deposited. The samples are characterized by SEM with EDS and several TEM techniques. The TEM specimens were made by Focused Ion Beam. The elemental distributions and phase formation will be presented. The contact resistance of the samples is also under investigation.
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Riis, Henrik; Finstad, Terje & Prytz, Øystein
(2017).
Metallization of ZnSb.
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Riis, Henrik; Schrade, Matthias & Song, Xin
(2016).
Termoelektrisk strøm av varme overflater.
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Riis, Henrik
(2017).
Development of Structural Characterization Methods for Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)/Nanocellulose Composite Membranes.
NTNU.
View all works in Cristin
Published
Aug. 30, 2016 12:34 PM
- Last modified
May 21, 2017 2:50 PM
