Cryogen-free modular scanning tunneling microscope operating at 4-K in high magnetic field on a compact ultra-high vacuum platform

Fuente: arXiv
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Hauptverfasser: Coe, Angela M., Li, Guohong, Andrei, Eva Y.
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2024
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author Coe, Angela M.
Li, Guohong
Andrei, Eva Y.
author_facet Coe, Angela M.
Li, Guohong
Andrei, Eva Y.
contents One of the daunting challenges in modern low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is the difficulty of combining atomic resolution with cryogen free cooling. Further functionality needs, such as ultra-high vacuum (UHV), high magnetic field, and compatibility with μm-sized samples, pose additional challenges to an already ambitious build. We present the design, construction, and performance of a cryogen free, UHV, low temperature, and high magnetic field system for modular STM operation. An internal vibration isolator reduces vibrations in this system allowing atomic resolution STM imaging while maintaining a low base temperature of ~4K and magnetic fields up to 9T. Samples and tips can be conditioned in-situ utilizing a heating stage, an ion sputtering gun, an e-beam evaporator, a tip treater, and sample exfoliation. In-situ sample and tip exchange and alignment are performed in a connected UHV room temperature stage with optical access. Multisite operation without breaking vacuum is enabled by a unique quick-connect STM head design. A novel low-profile vertical transfer mechanism permits transferring the STM between room temperature and the low temperature cryostat.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2404_05002
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Cryogen-free modular scanning tunneling microscope operating at 4-K in high magnetic field on a compact ultra-high vacuum platform
Coe, Angela M.
Li, Guohong
Andrei, Eva Y.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Instrumentation and Detectors
One of the daunting challenges in modern low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is the difficulty of combining atomic resolution with cryogen free cooling. Further functionality needs, such as ultra-high vacuum (UHV), high magnetic field, and compatibility with μm-sized samples, pose additional challenges to an already ambitious build. We present the design, construction, and performance of a cryogen free, UHV, low temperature, and high magnetic field system for modular STM operation. An internal vibration isolator reduces vibrations in this system allowing atomic resolution STM imaging while maintaining a low base temperature of ~4K and magnetic fields up to 9T. Samples and tips can be conditioned in-situ utilizing a heating stage, an ion sputtering gun, an e-beam evaporator, a tip treater, and sample exfoliation. In-situ sample and tip exchange and alignment are performed in a connected UHV room temperature stage with optical access. Multisite operation without breaking vacuum is enabled by a unique quick-connect STM head design. A novel low-profile vertical transfer mechanism permits transferring the STM between room temperature and the low temperature cryostat.
title Cryogen-free modular scanning tunneling microscope operating at 4-K in high magnetic field on a compact ultra-high vacuum platform
topic Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Instrumentation and Detectors
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.05002