A low temperature scanning tunneling microscope for electronic and force spectroscopy.
In this article, we describe and test a novel way to extend a low temperature scanning tunneling microscope with the capability to measure forces. The tuning fork that we use for this is optimized to have a high quality factor and frequency resolution. Moreover, as this technique is fully compatible with the use of bulk tips, it is possible to combine the force measurements with the use of superconductive or magnetic tips, advantageous for electronic spectroscopy. It also allows us to calibrate both the amplitude and the spring constant of the tuning fork easily, in situ and with high precision.
Laboratorio de Bajas Temperaturas, Departamento Física de la Materia Condensada C-III, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain. smit@physics.leidenuniv.nl
R H M
RH
Smit
R
R
Grande
B
B
Lasanta
J J
JJ
Riquelme
G
G
Rubio-Bollinger
N
N
Agraït
D003080:Cold Temperature; D004581:Electronics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016252:Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical