Semiconductor resistance thermometry

The resistance thermometry is based on the temperature dependence of the electric resistance of metals, semiconductors and other resistive materials. This is the most diffused type of low-temperature thermometry sensors are usually commercial low-cost components. At very low temperatures, however, several drawbacks take place such as the low thermal conductivity in the bulk of the resistance and at the contact surface, the heating due to RF pick up and overheating (see Section 9.6.3)... 

The basis for resistance thermometry is the feet that most metals and some semiconductors change in resistivity with temperature in a known, reproducible manner. Several materials are commonly employed for resistance thermometers. 

Ge resistors are specifically produced for low-temperature thermometry carbon and Ru02 resistors are commercial products for electronics. Pure carbon is not a semiconductor. The negative slope R(T) is due to the production process which consists in pressing and sinterization of carbon particles with glue. The resulting resistance is probably determined by the contact resistance between the particles. The cost of the carbon resistor thermometer is very low. Manufacturers such as Speer, Allen-Bradley and Matsushita have produced in the past carbon resistors for many years. Most of firms have now ceased manufacture, although their products may still be found in the storerooms of research laboratories. 

Resistive materials used in thermometry include platinum, copper, nickel, rhodium-iron, and certain semiconductors known as thermistors. Sensors made from platinum wires are called platinum resistance thermometers (PRTs) and, though expensive, are widely used. They have excellent stability and the potential for high-precision measurement. The temperature range of operation is from -260 to 1000°C. Other resistance thermometers are less expensive than PRTs and are useful in certain situations. Copper has a fairly linear resistance-temperature relationship, but its upper temperature limit is only about 150°C, and because of its low resistance, special measurements may be required. Nickel has an upper temperature limit of about 300°C, but it oxidizes easily at high temperature and is quite nonlinear. Rhodium-iron resistors are used in cryogenic temperature measurements below the range of platinum resistors [11]. Generally, these materials (except thermistors) have a positive temperature coefficient of resistance—the resistance increases with temperature. 

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