What is the sheet resistance or bulk resistivity?
Single-point measurement
Performance Testing · Electrical & Electrochemical
Electrical Resistivity, Conductivity and Four-Point Probe Measurement (Resistivity/4PP)
Measure sheet resistance, bulk resistivity or conductivity while reducing contact-resistance error.
- Price
- from£210 per sample, excl. VAT
- Turnaround
- 5 working days Preparation and scope dependent
- Available platforms
- Jandel RM3000+
- Typical outputs
- Sheet resistanceBulk resistivity or conductivityPoint-to-point uniformityProbe, current and geometry record
Why this service
What Resistivity/4PP can help you understand
A four-point probe passes current through the outer probes and measures voltage through the inner pair. With the correct geometry and correction factor, it provides sheet resistance or bulk resistivity…
How uniform is a coating or wafer?
Multi-point uniformity map
How do processing and thickness affect conductivity?
Temperature or process comparison
Choose the scope
Start from the question, not the tool
The method, preparation route and reporting depth depend on what you need to decide.
Single-point measurement
What is the sheet resistance or bulk resistivity?
- Best used when
- What is the sheet resistance or bulk resistivity?
- Typical result
- Sheet resistance
- Preparation note
- Declare biological hazards and confirm fixation, dehydration, temperature and disposal requirements.
Multi-point uniformity map
How uniform is a coating or wafer?
- Best used when
- How uniform is a coating or wafer?
- Typical result
- Bulk resistivity or conductivity
- Preparation note
- Confirm the applicable standard, dimensions, loading direction and number of replicates.
Temperature or process comparison
How do processing and thickness affect conductivity?
- Best used when
- How do processing and thickness affect conductivity?
- Typical result
- Point-to-point uniformity
- Preparation note
- Confirm power, connections, operating state, access restrictions and permitted disassembly.
Common outputs
A result package matched to the decision you need to make
Fields, conditions, processing and file formats are confirmed before work begins.
Sheet resistance reported with the agreed units, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Bulk resistivity or conductivity supplied in a labelled format suitable for direct sample or condition comparison.
Point-to-point uniformity provided with the processing basis and quality checks agreed during technical review.
Probe, current and geometry record included when selected in the confirmed reporting scope.
Sample requirements
What to provide before work begins
Provide representative, clearly labelled samples and identify the decision, feature or comparison that matters.
| Suitable sample | Submission requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Biological / soft material | Provide fixed, preserved or otherwise stabilised material in the agreed container and medium. | Declare biological hazards and confirm fixation, dehydration, temperature and disposal requirements. |
| Test coupon / specimen | Provide labelled specimens prepared to the agreed geometry, orientation and surface condition. | Confirm the applicable standard, dimensions, loading direction and number of replicates. |
| Device / assembly | Provide a complete labelled device or assembly with drawings, interfaces and operating limits. | Confirm power, connections, operating state, access restrictions and permitted disassembly. |
Objective: state the decision, comparison or acceptance criterion the work must support.
Handling and access: declare hazards, instability, confidentiality, file constraints or special logistics before dispatch or transfer.
Questions and answers
Common planning decisions
Short answers to issues that can change preparation, scope, timing or interpretation.
What is the difference between sheet resistance and resistivity?
Sheet resistance describes a thin layer in ohms per square; bulk resistivity also requires thickness and geometry.
What is the typical turnaround?
Typical turnaround is 5 working days after sample acceptance and method confirmation.
Configure the service
Send the information needed to scope Resistivity/4PP correctly
- Sample form, material, dimensions and quantity
- Feature or decision the result must address
- Required comparison, acceptance criterion or reference
- Preferred output and reporting depth