Probe position determination with multichannel I-V measurements in a two-dimensional sheet$\colon$ Computational method and mathematical analysis

Abstract

Atomically thin films and surfaces exhibit many distinctive two-dimensional electronic properties that are absent in bulk crystals. In situ microscale multi-probe measurements have been utilized as an effective method to identify the electrical conductivity of such thin films and surfaces. Precise determination of multi-probe positions is crucial for accurate characterization of the conductance. However, traditional methods that use microscopes for determining multi-probe positions often impose significant constraints on experimental setups. In some cases, installing a microscope is not even feasible. Therefore, in this study, we propose a novel method to determine probe positions using electrical signals from the probes. This method enables precise determination of probe positions using a reference sheet and reference probes, even at low or high temperatures and under ultra-high vacuum or high-pressure conditions. The proposed method simplifies the integration of microscale multi-probe measurement systems into various devices, thereby advancing research on thin films and surfaces.