A four-point probe is a specialized type of conductivity meter designed to measure the electrical conductivity of solids. The operating principle of this device is to use four electrodes located on the same line on the surface of the sample under study. The two outer electrodes apply measurement current to the sample, while the two inner electrodes measure the voltage drop. This configuration minimizes measurement errors associated with contact resistance and provides high accuracy in determining the electrical conductivity of the material.
When developing electrode materials where electronic conductivity is a key parameter, the use of a four-point probe is necessary to accurately assess their electrical properties. This method is also critical in the development of solid electrolytes where ionic conductivity assessment is required. Conductivity measurements help in optimizing the composition and structure of materials to achieve better electrochemical performance.
Our laboratory uses a four-point probe system from Osilla, which has a wide current measurement range. This allows the analysis of both dielectrics and metals, making the device a universal tool for studying a variety of materials. The high measurement accuracy of this system provides reliable results that are important for the development of new materials. In addition, the system does not require a large sample area to perform measurements, making it especially suitable for working with limited or valuable samples.