UHV STM laboratory

The laboratory is equipped with a complex setup for preparation and characterization of thin films and nanostructures in ultra-high vacuum with an integrated scanning probe microscope operating at ultra-high vacuum, ultra-low temperatures and high magnetic fields.
Personnel in charge: Mgr. Pavol Szabó, CSc., ÚEF SAV Košice
                                   Mgr. Tomáš Samuely, PhD., ÚFV PF UPJŠ Košice
 
Experimental methods:
The experimental setup from Specs co. consists of two interconnected vacuum chambers operating at a pressure below 10-10 mbar. The preparation chamber is equipped with:
Custom Manipulator

  • 4-axis high precision sample manipulator (DN100CF)
  • Linear in x-, y- and z-direction, shifts are Dx, Dy: +/- 12.5 mm, Dz: 900 mm
  • Polar rotation ±180°
  • Electron beam heating to 1000°C and N2 cooling
  • Separate position for direct current heating

Multi-Pocket E-beam Evaporator EBE-4-2L2F

  • Four pocket e-beam evaporator on NW35CF (2.75") flange with two fixed length holders and two linear motion holders for simultaneous co-evaporation of up to four different materials from rods or crucibles.

High Temperature Effusion Cell HTC-40-2-2000-WK-SHM

  • for the evaporation of materials with low vapor pressure

Quartz Crystal Microbalance

  • for controlling the film thickness during evaporation

IQE 11/35 3kV

  • A very stable extractor type ion source operating with a long-lifetime special Yttrium oxide coated Iridium filament. It is a robust, compact and easy-to-handle source for sputter cleaning of samples in UHV.

RHEED

  • Reflected high-energy electron diffraction for the characterization of thin film growth

PHOIBOS 100 MCD Energy Analyzer Classic-Package for XPS, UPS, AES, SAM, ISS and LEIS

  • multi-channel detector with "extended dynamic range" CEM

X-Ray source

  • for X – ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer - for residual gas analysis during evaporation 
 
The STM chamber is equipped with:
Specs JT scanning probe microscope operating at ultra-high vacuum, ultra-low temperatures and high magnetic fields

  • UHV STM system, temperature interval of 1K – 300 K with Joule-Thomson refrigerator and modular Tyto head allowing the use of various sensors like qPlus, Kolibri and STM, enabling simultaneous AFM/STM measurements in magnetic fields up to 2 T.
  • Liquid Nitrogen and 4He cryostats
  • Superconducting magnet providing fields up to 3 T perpendicular to the scanning plane.
  • Control electronics by Nanonis.

Separate glovebox with inert atmosphere - With the possibility to connect to the vacuum chamber for direct sample transfer
 
Research areas:

  • High resolution topography
  • High resolution tunneling spectroscopy
  • in-situ preparation and characterization of thin films and nanostructures
  • manipulation of individual atoms and molecules