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About the research project:
Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs) are widely used in industry, environmental monitoring, aerospace systems, and scientific research to measure temperature with high accuracy. They operate on the principle that the electrical resistance of a metal changes predictably with temperature, and their performance strongly depends on the material properties of the sensing element.
In this project, students design and fabricate a series of micro-scale thin-film RTDs from different metals (Au, Cu, Ag, Ni, Fe) using optical lithography and thin-film evaporation. Based on the geometrical parameters of the fabricated devices and the known physical properties of the materials, they calculate the theoretical room-temperature resistivity and the expected resistivity–temperature dependence. The sensors are then measured over a temperature range from cryogenic conditions (≈20 K) to room temperature. By analyzing resistance as a function of temperature, students extract the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), determine the residual resistivity, and fit their experimental results to theoretical models of metallic conduction, enabling direct comparison between calculated and measured behavior.
If time allows, an optional step includes electron microscope characterization of the fabricated devices, enabling students to observe the thin-film structure, electrode patterns, and surface quality at the micro- and nanoscale.
Research project outline:
- Principle of operation of Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs) and introduction of thin-film fabrication methods
- Design of micro-scale RTD patterns and calculation of theoretical resistivity and temperature dependence
- Fabrication of thin-film RTDs using optical lithography and metal evaporation techniques
- Measurement of resistance as a function of temperature from cryogenic to room temperature and extraction of TCR and residual resistivity
- Optional examination of fabricated RTDs in a scanning electron microscope to analyze micro- and nanoscale structure
Capacity:
- 3 students
Research project leader:
