What counts are the specific quantities:
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[
r] = Wm [ s] = ( Wm)1 = S/m; S = "Siemens" |
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| The basic equation for
s is: n = concentration of carriers, µ = mobility of carriers. |
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| Ohm's law states: It is valid for metals, but not for all materials. |
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| s (of conductors / metals) obeys (more or less) several rules; all understandable by looking at n and particularly µ. | ||||||||||||
| Matthiesen rule: Reason: Scattering of electrons at defects (including phonons) decreases µ. |
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| "r(T) rule": about 0,04 % increase in resistivity per K Reason: Scattering of electrons at phonons decreases µ. |
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| Nordheim's rule: Reason: Scattering of electrons at B atoms decreases µ. |
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| Major consequence: You can't beat the
conductivity of pure Ag by "tricks" like alloying or by using
other materials (Not considering superconductors). |
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| Non-metallic conductors are extremely important. | ||||||||||||
| Transparent conductors (TCO's) ("ITO", typically oxides). |
No flat panels displays = no notebooks etc. without ITO! | |||||||||||
| Ionic conductors (liquid and solid). | Batteries, fuel cells, sensors, ... | |||||||||||
| Conductors for high temperature applications;
corrosive environments, .. (Graphite, Silicides, Nitrides, ...). |
Example: MoSi2 for heating elements in corrosive environments (dishwasher!). | |||||||||||
| Organic conductors (and semiconductors). | The future High-Tech key materials? | |||||||||||
| Numbers to know (order of magnitude accuracy sufficient) |
r(decent metals) about 2 mWcm. r(technical semiconductors) around 1 Wcm. r(insulators) > 1 GWcm. |
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© H. Föll