Kelvin Probe: Non-contact and non-destructive surface analytical tool: basic principles.
The surface of metals and semiconductors, though advanced on technology-front, still pose unique challenges in the understanding. Most of the versatile analytical probes give abundant information but the tools but they do modify the surfaces. The Kelvin probe is a most powerful non-contact method of evaluating the metal and semiconductor surfaces; the surface remains virgin even after the measurement. Kelvin probe machine measures the surface work-function.
The Kelvin probe technique is employed in several areas of investigation based on the electronic behaviour of surfaces of several materials: mechanical and tribological properties, interfacial phenomena, adhesion, corrosion, photocatalytic activity, surface defects and morphology and bacterial biofilm adherence. Results from surface modification of transparent and conducting thin films and bio-medical implants will be presented.