Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Surface Potential Measurement of Bacteria Using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy
Published on: November 28, 2014
Designing a Robust Kelvin Probe Setup Optimized for Long-Term Surface Photovoltage Acquisition
Elke Beyreuther1, Stefan Grafström2, Lukas M Eng3
1Institut für Angewandte Physik, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 61, 01187 Dresden, Germany. elke.beyreuther@tu-dresden.de.
Abstract:
We introduce a robust low-budget Kelvin probe design that is optimized for the long-term acquisition of surface photovoltage (SPV) data, especially developed for highly resistive systems, which exhibit-in contrast to conventional semiconductors-very slow photoinduced charge relaxation processes in the range of hours and days. The device provides convenient optical access to the sample, as well as high mechanical and electrical stability due to off-resonance operation, showing a noise band as narrow as 1 mV. Furthermore, the acquisition of temperature-dependent SPV transients necessary for SPV-based deep-level transient spectroscopy becomes easily possible. The performance of the instrument is demonstrated by recording long-term SPV transients of the ultra-slowly relaxing model oxide strontium titanate (SrTiO 3 ) over 20 h.
Related Concept Videos
Gas Thermometers and the Kelvin Scale
Light Acquisition
Factorial Design
Long-term Depression
Group Design
Water and Mineral Acquisition

