A low-temperature scanning probe microscopy system with molecular beam epitaxy and optical access

Abstract

A low-temperature ultra-high vacuum scanning probe microscopy (SPM) system with molecular beam epitaxy capability and optical access was conceived, built, and tested in our lab. The design of the whole system is discussed here, with special emphasis on some critical parts. We made an SPM scanner head with a modified Pan-type design, enclosed by a double-layer cold room under a bath type cryostat. The scanner head is very rigid, compatible with optical access paths, and can accommodate both scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tips and atomic force sensors. Two piezo-actuated focus-lens stages are mounted on the two sides of the cold room to couple light in and out. To demonstrate the system performance, we performed STM and scanning tunneling spectroscopy studies. The herringbone reconstruction and atomic structure of Au(111) surface were clearly resolved. The dI/dV spectra of an Au(111) surface were obtained at 5 K. In addition, a periodic 2D tellurium (Te) structure was grown on Au(111) surface using MBE.

References in corpus (5)

• Crossover of Three-Dimensional Topological Insulator of Bi2Se3 to the Two-Dimensional Limit
• Intrinsically patterned two-dimensional materials for selective adsorption of molecules and nanoclusters
• Design and performance of an ultra-high vacuum scanning tunneling microscope operating at dilution refrigerator temperatures and high magnetic fields
• Spontaneous Formation of a Superconductor-Topological Insulator-Normal Metal Layered Heterostructure
• Superstructure evolution of tellurium atoms on Au(111) surface at different coverages

Cited by in corpus (3)

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• Systematic investigation of wear-induced cold welding in ultrahigh vacuum piezoelectric motors with non-metallic coatings
• Polarized tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy at liquid He temperature in ultrahigh vacuum using an off-axis parabolic mirror