Measuring the electrical characteristics of thin polymeric films

A new simple device for measuring the insulating properties of thin polymer films as a function of applied load has been designed, developed, and test ed. This new apparatus, which is based on a commercially available and inex pensive pressure sensor, is very sensitive to small changes in applied pres sure. The pressure sensitivity of the apparatus is better than +/-20 Pa ove r a nominal pressure range of 0-200 kPa. Experimental results of the insula ting properties of ultrathin propyltrimethoxysilane polymeric films adsorbe d onto iron oxide substrates are presented and illustrate the implementatio n of the new apparatus. (C) 2000 American Vacuum Society. [S0734-2101(oo)01 101-5].