Open STM: A low-cost scanning tunneling microscope with a fast approach method

IF 2 Q3 ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC

HardwareX Pub Date : 2023-12-21 DOI:10.1016/j.ohx.2023.e00504

Weilin Ma

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

In this study, we have developed an low-cost scanning tunneling microscope (STM) cost of 300 USD or 2000 CNY. The microscope is suitable for educational purposes and low-demand research imaging at the nanometer level. The microscope's motion components and scanner are controlled using piezoelectric materials, avoiding the thermal drift associated with traditional motor control. Our tip approach algorithm, which considers the capacitance and friction characteristics during piezoelectric slider movement, has reduced the time required for sample loading to establish tunneling current to approximately 1 min. The physical dimensions of the microscope body are 45 × 45 × 31.5 mm (W × L × H), and the control voltage does not exceed 15 V, ensuring the safety of operators, particularly those with limited experience. During performance verification, we conducted a scanning tunneling scan on a Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite (HOPG) sample, utilizing bias voltages of 50 mV and 60 mV, resulting in clear observations of the atomic features of HOPG within the STM pattern.

Abstract Image

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开放式 STM：采用快速方法的低成本扫描隧道显微镜

在这项研究中，我们开发了一种低成本扫描隧道显微镜（STM），成本仅为 300 美元或 2000 元人民币。该显微镜适用于教育目的和纳米级低需求研究成像。显微镜的运动部件和扫描仪采用压电材料控制，避免了传统电机控制带来的热漂移。我们的针尖接近算法考虑了压电滑块运动过程中的电容和摩擦特性，将样品加载到建立隧道电流所需的时间缩短到约 1 分钟。显微镜机身的物理尺寸为 45 × 45 × 31.5 毫米（宽 × 长 × 高），控制电压不超过 15 V，确保了操作人员的安全，尤其是经验不足的操作人员。在性能验证过程中，我们利用 50 mV 和 60 mV 的偏置电压对高取向热解石墨 (HOPG) 样品进行了扫描隧道扫描，结果在 STM 图形中清晰地观察到了 HOPG 的原子特征。

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来源期刊

HardwareX Engineering-Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

CiteScore

4.10

自引率

18.20%

发文量

124

审稿时长

24 weeks

期刊介绍： HardwareX is an open access journal established to promote free and open source designing, building and customizing of scientific infrastructure (hardware). HardwareX aims to recognize researchers for the time and effort in developing scientific infrastructure while providing end-users with sufficient information to replicate and validate the advances presented. HardwareX is open to input from all scientific, technological and medical disciplines. Scientific infrastructure will be interpreted in the broadest sense. Including hardware modifications to existing infrastructure, sensors and tools that perform measurements and other functions outside of the traditional lab setting (such as wearables, air/water quality sensors, and low cost alternatives to existing tools), and the creation of wholly new tools for either standard or novel laboratory tasks. Authors are encouraged to submit hardware developments that address all aspects of science, not only the final measurement, for example, enhancements in sample preparation and handling, user safety, and quality control. The use of distributed digital manufacturing strategies (e.g. 3-D printing) is encouraged. All designs must be submitted under an open hardware license.