STM

The London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN) features several dedicated scanning probe laboratories with state of the art instrumentation, including several scanning tunneling microscopes, atomic force microscopes and a near field scanning optical microscope.

Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM)

OMICRON LT-STM	Ultra high vacuum - base pressure 5×10^-11 mbar Variable temperature (3K - 300K with some gaps) No magnetic field Cold cleaving stage (<20K) Manipulator (<20K - >1300K)
OMICRON Cryogenic-STM	Ultra high vacuum - base pressure 3×10^-10 mbar Variable temperature (1.6K - 350K) Vector field (6T vertical, 1T in plane) Optical access Manipulator (<20K - >1300K)
Oxford Instruments / WA technology STM	Ultra high vacuum - base pressure 7×10^-10 mbar Variable temperature (3K - 400K) No magnetic field

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Omicron LT-STM:

Amazing atomic scale resolution demonstrated in the heart of London using an Omicron LT-STM on Si(111) using only the internal vibration isolation stages and the passive building design features. Raw data micrographs acquired at 78K are shown below:


Omicron LT-STM	Si(111) empty states V_s = +2V	Si(111) filled states V_s = -2V

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Omicron cryogenic STM:

This instrument is the result of a custom development for the London Centre for Nanotechnology involving Omicron (main contractor) and Oxford Instruments. The instrument is currently being installed in the basement of the London Centre for Nanotechnology.


Model of the Cryogenic STM	Cryostat with vector-field	System under test at Omicron

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Oxford Instruments / WA technology UHV STM:

This instrument was built by Oxford Instruments and WA technology in 1998, and has enabled pioneering studies of perovskite and bilayer manganese oxides.


Oxford Instruments / WA technology STM	Charge ordering in a perovskite manganite	Small polaron in a bilayer manganite