Release Notes IviumSoft
Release Notes IviumSoft
Release Notes IviumSoft
The Voltammetric Pulse Builder implements a Voltammetric scan with the usual
parameters: E_start, E_end, E_step. This will generate a staircase scan, with a pulse
pattern superimposed on each staircase level:
E_end
level
4level 2
repeated at level 1
each step
level 3
E_step
E_start
Delay time
Selecting “PulseDefinition” opens a pop-up, in which the pulse pattern can be defined,
for example the pattern above can be achieved with these settings:
Up to 4 pulse levels can be defined, each between 1ms and 200ms. The total duration of
the 4 combined pulses must be below 600ms (Delay Time not included).
At the end of the “Delay Time”, and at the end of each level, the current is measured.
These recorded values can be used to calculate the single datapoint that is displayed and
stored. The user can define how that datapoint will be calculated, using the “Add to
Result” field in the definition screen. Each level measurement can be
added/subtracted/ignored/etc. in the end-result with multiplication-operators ” +1/-
1/0/0.5/-0.5”. In the example below, a DPV scan is compiled with 50mV amplitude and
10ms pulse time:
The “+1” operator at Level[1] will add the measured current at Level[1], and the “-1”
operator at Delay Time will subtract the current measured during Delay Time, so the
difference of currents from before and at the end of the pulse will be recorded.
The sampling acquisition period is set automatically equally for all levels to 25% of the
shortest Level Period, maximized to 1 mains line cycle period (50Hz/60Hz option). These
acquisition periods are always located at the end of the corresponding Level.
Note that the ScanRate is implicitly defined by the “E step” parameters and the sum of
Delay Time and Pulse Periods. In the DPV example above, the total period is 100ms, so
this scan would produce 10 datapoints/second. Suppose Estep was 10mV, the scanrate
would be 100mV/sec.
In IviumSoft versions 2.1XX an important change has been introduced in the way data is
stored and retrieved in the software. This has been done to improve on ease and
accessibility. The most important changes are:
A) All measured data is now automatically stored on disk upon completion of the
experiment. As a result:
B) The new automatic data saving mechanism creates “regular” idf-files that are
readable in the usual manner.
C) The file names and folder locations for auto-saving are automatically created in a
structured manner. In this way saved files are easy to locate and retrieve, and
data can be stored under a project name.
\:IviumStat\data
Library 1
Library 2 Project 1
Project 2
|
Project n
Library n
D) Manual saving of data files and data sets remains possible in the usual way.
E) Data files are stored under an automatically generated file name that is
constructed from:
- Scan id; (=automatically incremented scan number)
- Date stamp; (mm,dd)
- Technique used; (for example LSV for Linear Scan Voltammetry)
- First 8 letters (signs) of the Title of the experiment
- Instrument serial number.
When the total number of datapoints exceeds workfile size, default 400,000
points (user definable, see paragraphs 3.3 Data handling and 22 Working with
large data files):
When scan exceeds workfile size, an .idf will be stored with present
number of datapoints. Also a CSV file is created with half the
From the “tempfile” folder automatically, after the (user defined) expiry period,
default 90 days (user definable, see 3.3 Data handling).
Manually by the user, by selecting “delete permanently”
Below the Results panel a new Listview panel is visible. This list of files will be
visible in the order that these were recorded or loaded, the most recent file at the
top. These files can be used for quickly switching to earlier results and back. The
Listview panel keeps track of all data stored in the current session; when
(re)starting IviumSoft the most recent 25 stored/called datafiles are listed
(default). Files listed in RED are stored in the 'tempfiles' project and subject to
automatic deletion after a user defined time (see 3.3: Delete temporary files).
The history list displays the most relevant scan (method) properties:
Scan id: automatically generated scan number.
Nscans: number of scans in the datafile/dataset; datasets are highlighted in
yellow.
Title: scan title (= method parameter).
Technique: electrochemical technique used to acquire the data in the file.
SN: serial number of the Ivium instrument used to acquire the data.
Chan: Ivium-n-Stat channel number (=1 for a single channel instrument).
Cycle: cycle number for multi cycled experiments (=1 for single cycle).
Status: results status, 100% = fully completed
File: file path and name; the file name is automatically generated from
scan id, date (mm,dd), technique and first 8 letters of the title.
A file from the history list can be loaded by double clicking it. Right-clicking it will
allow other options:
Load Scans: will load the selected scan, replacing the previous.
Add Scans: will load the selected scan while retaining the previous.
Delete permanently:
will delete the datafile immediately and remove it from the
historylist.
Older style datafiles (recorded with earlier IviumSoft versions) will appear in this
list when loaded (data unavailable in these datafiles will be displayed arbitrarily).
The data handling options can be accessed from the main menu bar under
Options>Options>Datahandling Options:
Save datacopy: when checked, a copy of the data is stored to the user
defined folder. If the destination location is not available, or invalid, the
command is ignored without an error message.
Delete temporaryfiles:
The folder "Tempfiles" is normaly used to store files with a temporary
status, such as exploratory measurements. These will automatically be
deleted after the user defined time, default 90 days. Also, there is an
option to "Never" delete automatically.
The Project where newly generated datafiles are stored can also be accessed and/or
changed directly from the top menu bar:
A new Project name can be entered directly, or an existing one can be selected from the
drop down menu. The project name entered here is automatically copied to the
Datahandling options.
For exploratory work, if measurements do not need to be saved for permanent use, you
can, for example, create/select a Draft (project) folder, which can be (manually) deleted
on a regular basis.
Data Sets
By default data files are saved as .idf. When multiple scans are created in a single
experiment, such as for example when running an number of CV cycles, it is possible to
store these as a dataset in the current project. This can be done from the main menu
bar: File>Save dataset in project.
Methods
A method (technique) with all parameters can be saved as method file (.imf) in a
Project. This can be done from the main menu bar: File>Save method in project. In the
Data Explorer window data sets are highlighted in green.
From the top menu bar, a Data explorer can be opened: File>Data explorer.
This will open a Data Explorer window (note that depending on the amount of data, this
may take some seconds):
The Eoc monitor technique will allow the monitoring of the open circuit potential versus
time.
Method parameters:
The Polarization Resistance technique allows a linear potential controlled scan from E
start to E end. The results can be displayed as I/E, E/I, Log(I)/E, E/log(I). The most
common presentation is E (Y-axis) vs. I (X-axis) and is used to measure the corrosion
rate.
Method parameters:
The Tafel Plot technique will record a linear potential controlled scan from E start to E
end. The results can be displayed as I/E, E/I, Log(I)/E, E/log(I). The most common
Method parameters:
4.4 Potentiodynamic
The Potentiodynamic technique will record a linear potential controlled scan from E start
to E end. The results can be displayed as I/E, E/I, Log(I)/E, E/log(I). The most common
presentation is E (Y-axis) vs. log I (X-axis) and is used to qualitatively evaluate the
corrosion characteristics of the sample.
Method parameters:
The Cyclic Polarization technique will record a cyclic potential controlled scan from E start
to Vertex 1, and back to E start. The results can be displayed as I/E, E/I, Log(I)/E,
E/log(I). The most common presentation is E (Y-axis) vs. log I (X-axis) and is used to
evaluate the tendency of the sample to undergo localized corrosion. Pitting and crevice
corrosion are the most common examples of localized corrosion.
Method parameters:
The Galvanic Corrosion technique will record the current versus time when two different
metals are immersed in an electrolyte. The results can be displayed as E/time and
The galvanic corrosion technique is implemented for low currents, smaller than and up to
ca. 1mA. If the currents exceed a few mA, this electrode connection cannot be used
anymore and a transient technique needs to be used, like Mixed Mode1.
RE to reference electrode
WE+S to working electrode 1
Gnd to working electrode 2
Method parameters:
The Corrosion Rate Monitor technique will start with recording the Eoc, after this a Linear
(potential controlled) Polarization Resistance measurement will carried out. This is
repeated for the duration of the experiment and the Rp and corrosion rate are displayed
vs. time. This experiment is commonly used to test the performance of corrosion
inhibitors.
Method parameters:
5. Enhanced AutoCR
Pre ranging
It is now possible to let the automatic current ranging start before the measurement
so that the instrument will automatically look for the appropriate Current Range. This
will ensure the measurement starts with an appropriate setting. The pre-ranging can
be switched on/off with the checkbox in the AutoCR subparameter group.
1
Note that when using the transient technique, the electrode connection needs to be adjusted to
the 'default' configuration. In Mixed Mode apply 0V to measure galavanic corrosion.
2
Galvanic Corrosion is implemented similar to ElectroChemical Noise, the same electrode
connection applies. See also p. 22/56 of the Manual.
1. Purging
2. Pretreatment
3. OCP measurement
4. Equilibration
The duration of these stages is predefined. However now it is possible to manually abort
such stages during its execution, by pressing the "Continue" button. This will stop the
currently running pre-measurement stage, and proceed to the next. If it was the last
scheduled stage, the measurement will start immediately. In case of the OCP
measurement stage, it will accept the last measured value as the actual OCP, and
proceed.
The "Continue" button only appears next to the "Abort" button at the start of a method
and during the pre-measurement stages, at the bottom of the method Tab:
a. "DefineMethod" will allow you to define a Method procedure inside the BatchScript.
You can select the Technique and edit measurement parameters directly.
b. The "DefineMethod" variables are fully embedded in the BatchFile. You do not need
to rely on external method files. When you change the file location, or move to
another pc workstation, you only need to transport the ".ibf" file.
c. The old "LoadMethod" function is retained, for compatibility reasons. But it is
recommended not use this anymore.
d. When saving BatchFiles, it is suggested to store these in the active Project folder.
When you select LoadBatch/SaveBatch, the filename selection dialog will start in the
active project folder.
• Load: will load (import) the parameters from an existing methodfile on disk. These
are loaded at the moment you press this button, and embedded in the active
BatchFile. If that original sourcefile would be removed/changed afterwards, it
would not affect the embedded Method definitions.
• Save: will save (export) the methodparameters to a method "*.imf" diskfile.
• Get Active: will copy the parameters from the active Method, as it is displayed on
the main Method tabsheet.
• Set Active: will export the DefineMethod parameters to the active Method, and will
be displayed on the main Method tabsheet, replacing the previous active Method.
For specific applpications the Mixed Mode technique has been enhanced with additional
method parameters:
Continuous AC: When checked this will maintain the AC amplitude throughout the
Level continuously (otherwise it will be switched off during DC
acquisition).
AC mean current: This will measure the mean AC current, instead of the DC current,
and plot this in the main dataplot (black line, left axis). The mean
current value is defined by averaging the quadratic current over a
finite number of ac cycles, after subtraction of the dc current.
Please note that the thresholds for currents, are now applicable to
the AC Mean current.
Define ac: When checked this will overrule the main method parameters
Frequency and Amplitude. This allows you to select a dedicated
frequency and amplitude for each separate level.
By default, the thresholds in the Mixed mode level panel will only act within the level. If
a threshold is exceeded, this Level is aborted and the scan continues to the next Level.
Now, an extra option is available: "ExitScanOnThres". If checked and when a threshold is
triggered, it will abort the complete scan.
Groups of consecutive Levels can be defined as a sequence and repeated multiple times
(Loops). Also, the sequence can be made conditional to definable thresholds.
A sequence can be defined, by checking the "SequenceStart" and "SequenceEnd"
parameters, at the desired Levels. All the enclosed Levels will be part of the sequence-
block. The SequenceStart parameter has a subparameter "SeqRepeatCount" to define
how many times the sequence-block will be executed.
The blocks can be recognized in the Level view, by the opening and closing square
brackets "[ ]" in the properties line, with the repeatcount before the opening bracket.
Sequences can be started and ended at each level. The SeqRepeatCount can be defined
from 1-65535. Sequence-blocks can enclose other sequence-blocks (loop nesting), up to
8 levels deep.
For the potentiostatic Impedance technique "Constant E", the advanced method
parameter “Pretreat each freq” is added. By checking this option, the pretreatment
sequence is repeated before each new applied frequency.
During each pretreatment, the ac signal is removed, and the dc current is measured
once every second. The (subsequent) pretreatment measurements are recorded and
added to the Pretreatment data.
When using "Export Data as ASCII", it is possible to add the time and date of the
measurement. This feature can be activated in the menu Tools>Datahandling options, on
the "Content Tabsheet", by checking "Add timestamp".
When activated, the time and date will be written on the first line of the Exported ASCII
file. The time corresponds with the Starting Time of the scan.
New features have been added to the Mixed Mode technique, that can be used for
example for battery testing. During Mixed Mode experiments, the Charge and Energy
state (for example of a battery) can be monitored against Time or Cycle number. To
access these features click on the Q button to the left of the Result Graph. The second
graph that becomes visible (as before) has now added to it a new bar with labeled
buttons (only in Mixed Mode). To select the display parameter click on the relevant
button:
Q/t: Charge vs. time
C%/t: (Capacity/Nominal Capacity) * 100% vs. time
P/t: Power vs. time
U/t: Energy (U) vs. time (integrated P/t plot)
Q%/cls: (Q_discharge/Q_charge) * 100% vs. Cycle nr.
U%/cls: (U_discharge/U_charge) * 100% vs. Cycle nr.
C%/cls: (Capacity_discharge/Nominal Capacity) * 100% vs Cycle nr.
Uc/cls: U_charge vs Cycle nr.
In the Mixed Mode technique an extra control mode has been added. Next to controlled
E/I/OpenCell/Z in Mixed Mode, also the applied Power can be controlled: P Control. The
Power is defined in Watt, and is calculated from the product of the (S-RE)-voltage and
the WE-Current.
A positive applied power means that the instrument will apply a positive current, and a
negative applied power will generate negative current. Note that the potential can be
positive or negative in either of the latter cases; the sign of the "real power by the cell"
depends on the object. For example for an active object, such as a battery, a positive
applied power means that the battery is being charged by the Energy of the instrument,
while for a negative applied power Energy will be drained from the battery, but the
battery voltage in both these cases is "positive".
In "P control" mode, the instrument uses a fixed Current Range. AutoCR cannot be used.
For the best performance, it is advisable to select the best initial Current Range and
Potential Range.
Datafiles can be labeled with a description and/or bookmarked for convenient recognition
and later retrieval. Directly above the file history list, a field is available where the
"Description" of the selected scan can be entered. The new description can be stored in
the datafile by pressing the Apply button.
This description will appear in the 3rd column of the filelist. The description text can be
of unlimited length.
Datafiles of special importance can be bookmarked, by checking the Bookmark box and
subsequently clicking "Apply" (unchecking the button and clicking "Apply" will remove
the Bookmark. Bookmarked files can be recognized by the underlining in the file history
list. Directly to the left of the file history list, there are 2 buttons:
*A transient (or peak) is counted when its absolute difference from the "average
segment value" exceeds the defined threshold. Note that consecutive points that
exceed the threshold do not increase the transient (or peak)-count. These are
assumed to belong to the same transient.
If the IviumSoft application is closed, active/running measurements are aborted and the
data is lost. When the user attempts to close the application while a measurement is in
progress, a message will popup:
Responding with "OK" will close IviumSoft and the data is lost. Selecting "Cancel" will
ignore the attempt to close Iviumsoft and continue the measurement. Note that the
popup will wait for a response while the measurement continues. A response is needed
before IviumSoft can accept new commands or settings.
IviumSoft is equipped with a 'help' function that is content sensitive: this means that
placing your cursor or making a selection and pressing [F1] will automatically open the
help file on the subject that is selected.
Starting at IviumSoft version 2.301 the help file is based on and compiled in .html. This
means that if you have an existing IviumSoft installation the old help file does not work
anymore and the new .html help file needs to be installed (instructions, see below).
The new .html help is expanded to include the complete manual. Next to the content
sensitive help, of course the help file can also be opened from the top menu bar. In this
case the complete contents of the help/manual are displayed by subject in logical order.
The help/manual can be searched for example by subject or keyword.
Future releases of IviumSoft, when relevant, will also include a new help file. New
features of the new IviumSoft release are included in that new help file.
New installation: The newest help file will be automatically installed when first
installing IviumSoft from the installation CD on a PC.
Previously all loaded and/or generated data would be visible in the ResultGraph, i.e.
when an LSV was executed after an impedance (EIS) experiment without deleting the
EIS data, the LSV data would be plotted in the EIS graph. This would cause the
data/graph to look erratic.
Now, only data will be displayed that is compliant with the active plot. So in the previous
example, the EIS data would be hidden from view after the LSV started. Note that the
EIS data is still there. If thereafter another EIS experiment would be run, the older EIS
data would become visible again (and the LSV data will become hidden).
The display mode always follows the active scan. Previous recorded/loaded scans will
only be visible when these are compliant with the current display mode. Note that this
will make it now possible to meaningfully combine results from different techniques in 1
dataset.
When multiple scans are loaded, containing data recorded with different techniques, the
hidden ones can be viewed by mouseclick, while keeping CTRL pressed. This will make
the clicked scan active, thus redefining the plot "mode".
The 'Mixed Mode' technique allows the recording of Impedance data simultaneous with
DC results, in real time. The minimum interval time to allow real time impedance
measurement has been greatly reduced from 0.2 sec to 0.002 sec. But note that at
interval times shorter than 0.2sec, the AC signal is always continuously applied
(regardless of Continuous AC option). At interval times longer than 0.2 sec the AC signal
is only applied at the last portion of the interval.
To make use of real time impedance the the condition must be observed that:
the Signal Frequency must be higher than (2/interval time).
Normally the signals for each time interval are recorded at the last portion of that
interval: i.e. the signals are sampled at high speed and averaged during a sufficiently
narrow period, that is automatically chosen by the instrument. The option has been
added (in the ECN technique only) to allow the user to override this and redefine the
period by using the "Signal averaging" parameter:
By checking the "Full interval" option, the data is measured and averaged during the
whole interval period (note the similarity with the current integration techniques).
If the "Full interval" option is left unchecked, the user can define the "Averaging time" to
any other value between 0.0003 and 10 seconds. Normally the Averaging time would be
a fraction of the interval time, but it is also possible to use larger time periods. In that
case, the averaging also uses the previous datapoints, and in fact will become a digital
lowpass filter.
In ECN analysis, an option for digital lowpass filtering has been added:
In the frequency domain a filter function can be applied by checking "Apply". The
frequency and the order can be set by the user. The frequency will correspond with the
cut-off frequency: at which half the signal magnitude is attenuated. The order gives the
"slope" of the filter: 1st order = 20dB/decade, 2nd order=40dB/decade, etc.
A new mode has been introduced in the "P-control" of the Mixed Mode technique. This
"P-maximum" -setting facilitates the further investigation and operation of active cells,
such as Batteries, Fuel Cells, SolarCells, and other power generating devices.
The power that a device (Cell) generates is dependent on its Potential/Current settings.
Often there is a certain E/I setpoint that yields maximum Power. That point is not
known in advance and/or is constantly changing, i.e. consider a Solar Cell for which the
incoming light is variable. When the "P maximum" option is checked, IviumSoft will
automatically select the E/I settings that yield maximum power. The Potential/Current
settings are continuously adjusted, so the device is always operated at it maximum
power output.
To add a protocol to a Mixed Mode sequence, select the Mixed Mode technique. From the
method parameters, open the Levels window. In the menu bar at the top of this window,
click on 'Add protocol'. This will open an additional pop-up window for selecting and
changing a, predefined, protocol. The protocol parameters can be edited before adding
the protocol to the Mixed Mode. But, after adding the protocol, the lines can also be
edited; they appear as "normal" lines. In this way the protocols can be used as
templates, that are flexible and can be adjusted to any specific requirements.
The Equivalent Circuit fitting tool, that comes included with IviumSoft, has been greatly
enhanced.
The visual grid has been increased from 5x5 to 8x8 component positions (2564). This
allows for easier building of complex circuits, and it allows even more complex circuits.
The modeling tool is now capable of generating its own starting values. This is
convenient for the user, and it obtains better endresults. Therefore by default the
starting values are automatically generated. Optionally, the user can still apply their own
starting values by checking "user defined startvalues".
When the equivalent circuit is not known, the Ivium Software can suggest a circuit that
would fit the data the best. This is done by internally evaluating several standard
circuits, and comparing fit quality. At this time only combinations of R,L and C are
included.
The user can set boundaries for the fit-able parameters. In the circuit evaluator window
slelect Options/Fitting Options; here the default values for the parameter types, and
their allowable limits, can be set. These will be applied as starting values for newly
created circuit parameters. The boundaries can also be individually edited after circuit
creation in the actual parameter grid.
The range of data points to be included in (or left out of) the fit can be selected
graphically: simply mouse-click on the outer data points to be included in the fit range.
The fit range is shown in highlight. Only the included (high lighted) datapoints will be
used in the numerical modeling and simulation.
Graphic selection of the fitting range is available in the plots: Bode, Nyquist, RsCs, Y1Y2.
Data can be validated by means of the Kramers Kronig test. When you press the
“KKtest” button, the KK plot will be generated.
Time responses can be calculated from the equivalent circuit. Equivalent circuits are
normally modeled from the Z vs. frequency relation. However from any equivalent
circuit, the E&I vs. time relation can be reconstructed also. This might be useful for
educational purposes, or verification of particular measurements in the time domain. It
can be selected by clicking the "Time" button. There is a choice between various
potential perturbations: SquareWave, Cosine, Impulse, Sweep, Sine, Step, Triangle.
These perturbations can be applied either in potentiostatic mode (: apply E and measure
I), or in galvanostatatic mode (: apply I and measure E).
For SquareWave, Cosine, Sine and Triangle, also the frequency can be chosen.
The data available in the .tmp file can now be easily recovered
by importing it, using the "Import CSV" command from the "File" menu.
Note that, because the .tmp file only contains raw data points and no method
information, if you wish to recover a .tmp file from a fresh instance of IviumSoft, you
should first load the .idf file with (containing the method information) and then import
the CSV.
Newvalue =
ValueText + (Loop_index * IndexMultiplier)
The 'Loop_index' is the actual value of the Loopcounter during the running batch.
In the Batch example above an LSV is created [Line1] with a Scanrate of 50mV/s. In
Loop #1 the LSV is executed with Scanrate = 50mV/s =0.05V/s [Line3]. Then the new
Scanrate is recalculated [Line4] to become: 0.05+(1*0.01) = 0.06V/s = 60mV/s. Then
Loop #2 is executed with Scanrate = 60mV/s, etc. In this example, 4 loops are executed
with subsequent scanrates of 50mV/s, 60 mV/s, 70 mV/s, 80 mV/s.
NOTE: The "Incremental" parameter in the "EditMethod" Line properties has the usual
meaning. It will add the previous value to the new value. Note that if you enable both
"AddIndexToValue" and "Incremental", it creates a complex situation which will quickly
run over parameter limits. Therefore it is not recommended to use both options at the
same time.
To change the unit of the displayed/calculated corrosion rate in IviumSoft from mm/yr
to mpy (milli-inches per year), the following steps should be taken:
Open IviumSoft and navigate to the Options tab at the top left hand corner.
Select 'Datahandling Options' from the drop down menu.
Corrosion Monitoring data in the table in the Result data tab now lists an extra
column with the Eoc values.
When exporting the data in this table, also the Eoc values are exported.
The LSV data belonging to a Corrosion Monitoring experiment can now be viewed
in the table in the Result data tab, by checking the 'CorMon LSV' checkbox in the
Format group.
Note: this checkbox will only work if Corrosion Rate Monitor data available.
When entering material properties for Corrosion calculation, a library of predefined data
can be used to obtain Density and Equivalent Weight.
In the Method paramter > DataOptions pop-up, select the 'Electrode' tab.
Under 'Electrode properties in the 'Material Constants' field a table can be opened
by clicking "Select from Table"
Mouse click on the desired material to select it, the click 'Accept and Close' to
copy the selected data to the 'Material Constants' field in the Data options.
33. Voltage range extension for the True Linear Scan (vs. 2.585)
The True Linear Scan generator (LinScan) is a payable option available for Ivium
potentiostats. The voltage range for the LinScan option has been increased from ±2V to
the full applied potential range of the potentiostat and the same resolution as the applied
potential range. The resolution of the LinScan reflects on the E-start, E-step and Vertex
potentials, the applied signal itself is analog.
It is available via the method paramter "IR feedback" and compensates for ohmic drop in
the sample, via the direct feedback method. The instrument will increase the cell
potential by the amount that is defined by the product of current and compensation
resistance. When using IR compensation, care should be taken because
overcompensation will result in instabilities.
In the Analysis>Advanced peak search, the parameter "Convert result" is added. The
Convert result is activated by checking the box. When checked the "*factor" can be
entered. The charge is multiplied by this factor to achieve the result. The unit of the
result is determined by the units of the factor, and can be edited by the user. In the
example below the unit is made to be g/cm2. The converted charge to g/cm2 value (in
this example) is displayed in the last column of the result table.
In the analysis technique Find levels a determination of the inflection point has been
added: after the first found level, the inflexion point is determined; this is indicated by
an arrow marker on the plot. The inflexion point IP is defined as the point with maximum
1st derivative, and the value is also shown in the result table.
The parameter "Convert result" is also added. The Convert result is activated by
checking the box. When checked the "*factor" can be entered. Subsequently checking
the "*charge" will multiply the charge by the factor (factor*charge). When the "*time" is
checked, the time will be multiplied by the factor (factor*time). When both "*time" and
"*charge" are checked, the charge will be multiplied by the time and the factor
(factor*charge*time).
The unit of the result is determined by the units of the factor and can be edited by the
user. In the example below the unit entered is gram. The converted value (to gram in
this example) is displayed in the last column of the result table.
The "Convert result" is also applied on inflexion points. The levels and inflexion points in
the table can be identified by the label in the 1st column.
Note that setting the parameter "Value reference" from "absolute" to "differential" will
effect that charge, time and converted result are all relative to the previous marker,
rather than absolute values.
a. Integration tool: currents can be integrated to charge over the full forward or
reverse scan, or over a narrower user selected potential range.
b. Q vs. E: CV plots can be displayed as charge vs. potential. When choosing to plot
the CV in Q vs. E automatically the capacity is determined from the enclosed area
in the CV plot according to: Cap = ½ * (abs(Qf) + abs(Qr)) /delta_E.
c. Cap vs E: Capacity plots can be displayed; in this case the CVs are "normalized"
according to: Cap = current /scanrate
In this new IviumSoft release, several changes have been made to ensure high
performance and enhanced user experience. Previously if data exceeded the MWS, the
oldest data was removed from the graphically displayed data. That removed data-section
was streamed to disk.
In the new approach, when data-length exceeds the MWS, all data is streamed to disk,
and the visual dataset is reduced in size by removing datapoints that do not affect the
appearance of the data in the graph. The data-reduction algorithm employs a reduction
approach that will result in data size that just fits in the MWS. The reduction is based on
varying thresholds. If a datapoint does not differ from its neighboring points by more
than a defined threshold, it is removed. The magnitude of the applied threshold is
automatically determined to keep datasize just below the MWS requirement. The user
At the end of the experiment, the reduced data is saved as an ".idf" file (Ivium Data
File). That reduced data file will be about the size of the MWS. The raw data that is
streamed continuously during the scan, is saved in a separate file with the same name
as the .idf file, but with the ".ief" extension. Usually the reduced data contains all
important changes and features required for further analysis. However, if the complete
raw data is required, it can be restored:
1- In the Legends panel right mouse click the desired scan: the scan properties
popup will open.
2- Click the button [Restore Full datasize], and all data will be shown undecimated.
NOTE: for extremely large datafiles this may impair the performance of the PC.
Alternatively, the .ief file can be directly imported in an external program. Contact Ivium
for details.
When the option of "Timed saving" is selected (See data handling options, paragraph 3),
the raw datafile (.ief) is updated after every specified timing interval. This behavior
cooperates with the "MWS savings": the timing interval is determined from the last
saving event. Therefore, every triggering event for MWS saving, resets the clock for the
next "Timed saving event". When the MWS is chosen small, the Timed saving feature
becomes obsolete.
In the Result Data sheet the possibility has been added to list the numerical values of
the Pretreatment/Equilibrium in the Result Data table, and export those.
At the bottom of the list of options to the left of the Result Data sheet in the "Format"
group it is now possible for the "E" and "I" to be swapped. This can be useful when
exporting the data to a compatible external format.
For the impedance technique Impedance.PotentialScan, the functionality has been added
to repeat the pretreatment sequence before each applied frequency. During the
Pretreatment, no AC amplitude is applied.
In the "Edit menu" a feature has been added that will merge all listed scans into 1 scan.
This allows saving and analysis of all datapoints, as if these were obtained in a single
scan.
The merge operation will add all datapoints of all listed scans, and reorder those in
sequence, according to the primary variable (E for CV/LSV, time for Transient
techniques, etc). The ordering after a merge operation will be ascending, regardless of
the original scan direction.
It is assumed that all scans to be merged are of the same type. The scan produced by a
merge operation will retain the methodparameters, that belong to the first scan.
44.Impedance.Escan: Cp vs E (2.653)
The Mott Schottky plot analysis has been extended to calculate the Flatband potential
and ND (Donor concentration). Note that in order to calculate the correct values, it is
required to input the T=Temperature, A= Area and ε= Relative Permittivity in the
DataOptions (method parameter).
These parameters are determined from the slope and intercept of the 1/C 2 vs. E plot:
with V = the potential, VFB = the FlatBand potential, ε0 = the vacuum permittivity (8.854
× 10−12 F m−1), e = the elementary charge (1.602 × 10−19 C), kB = the Boltzmann
constant (1.381 × 10−23 J K−1).
In the table below the graph the donor concentration ND is displayed per cm3:
Donors/cm^3.
The measurement results are plotted real time the Result graph tab. An arrow at the top
of the graph indicates the position on the x-axis of the latest data point.
When the mouse is pointed to any datapoint in the graph, during the measurement or
after it has completed, a set of crosshairs appears to indicate the datapoint's position on
both the x- and y-axes.
Especially in multi-scan runs it is now easier to determine the position (and scan) of the
selected datapoint. For each data point that is selected the key values are show,
depending on the technique (i.e. the E and I values are shown for a CV, the Z1, Z2 and
freq. are show in an EIS plot).
During measurement in Mixed Mode, the scan can be forced to proceed to the next stage
by pressing the 'Continue' button. The current stage is aborted (similar to a threshold
being reached) by manual intervention of the operator. When the continue button is
pressed at the last line, the scan is ended.
In the technique Mixed Mode stages window, 5 control modes are possible:
E control (potentiostatic)
I control (galvanostatic)
Open cell
Z control (rheostatic)
P control (constant power)
For the E, I, Z and P levels the applied value can be chosen in the Level properties to the
right hand side of the window.
Checking the box 'X vs Xprev' will use the last measured value of that parameter in the
previous level (E in the figure above) as a reference for 'X applied' rather than the
absolute value; in the figure above the 'E applied' will be: 0.5V + [last measured E value
of the previous level].
In addition the user can choose to create a sweep level rather than a constant applied
value, by checking the box '+SweepX'. The sweep will start at 'X applied' and end at 'X
end' with selected 'scanrate'. When 'X vs Xprev' is checked the 'X end' will automatically
also be applied with reference to the last measured value of the previous level.
Now it is also possible for E and I controlled levels to sweep from a relative 'X applied' to
an absolute 'X end': by checking the box 'Absolute X end'. In the figure above a sweep
will be done from 0.5V relative to the last measured voltage of the previous level, to an
absolute end voltage of 1V.
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