title: Note: Circuit design for direct current and alternating current electrochemical etching of scanning probe microscopy tips.
abstract: We present control circuits designed for electrochemically etching, reproducibly sharp STM probes. The design uses an Arduino UNO microcontroller to allow for both ac and dc operation, as well as a comparator driven shut-off that allows for etching to be stopped in 0.5-1 μs. The Arduino allows the instrument to be customized to suit a wide variety of potential applications without significant changes to hardware. Data is presented for coarse chemical etching of 80:20 platinum-iridium, tungsten, and nickel tips.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Jobbins
authors.forename: Annette F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Raigoza
authors.forename: S Alex
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kandel