STM-Scanning Tunneling Microscope

pA-STM is a very powerful Scanning Tunneling Microscope allowing the mapping with atomic resolution in air even for high resistive materials. The pA STM can be equipped with different scanners with ranges from 3 μm to 25 μm.

By tunneling down to 500 fA the pA-STM is suitable to measure high resistive materials like the self assembled molecules (SAM).

pA-STM Scanning Stage

Scanning stage with Piezoceramic Tube.

Standard scanner technical data:

X-Y piezo tube:

high voltage mode scan size: 10 x 10 μm
low voltage mode scan size: 650 x 650 nm
high voltage mode resolution: 1.5 Å
low voltage mode resolution: 0.1 Å

Z piezo tube:

high voltage mode scan size: 1.2 μm
high voltage mode resolution: 0.2 Å

Based on specific demands other scanning ranges can be set by the user in different configurations.*

Translator stage data:

X-Y range: 5 x 5 mm
Z range: 13 mm (4 mm servo assisted)

STM Head
STM Head with tip holder.
The Head houses low current preamplifier with 1·10⁹ V/A gain that make possible to get images from 2pA to 2nA. Other preamplifiers with different
gain are optional on request.
Sample bias: -10 to +10 V with step size < 1 mV

SPMCU-T
SPM Control Unit
SPM Control Unit and PC (equipped with a multi input-output board) drives the scanner, data acquisition and sample motion.
Tip to sample distance is controlled by ultra-low noise analogue feedback, digitally driven by PC.
High speed and temporal precision are provided by hardware timing.

HVA3-T Unit
HVA is an high voltage amplifier module projected to drive A-100 Heads.

Acquisition software
Software runs under Windows and is composed of a multi-window applications for instrument control and data acquisition. The software comes equipped with simple filters for immediate analysis of acquired images. The software controls all the parameters of the instrument.

Accessories:
pA STM can be equipped with additional tools to enhance the instrument capabilities.