An ultra-high resolution control unit for a scanning tunnelling microscope

The design of a novel process computer for a scanning tunnelling microscope is described. Our stabilisation system of a tunnel junction is based on a digital signal processor DSP32C from AT&T, mounted on a commercially available PC AT-compatible plug-in card. The resolution of the homemade elect...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThin solid films Vol. 264; no. 2; pp. 217 - 222
Main Authors Heuell, P., Cuzdi, S., Kulakov, M.A., Bullemer, B.
Format Journal Article Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published Lausanne Elsevier B.V 15.08.1995
Elsevier Science
Subjects
Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Exact sciences and technology
Physics
Scanning tunnelling microscopy
Solid surfaces and solid-solid interfaces
Surface structure and topography
Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties)
Scanning tunnelling microscopy
Design
Microscopy
Surface analysis
Experimental study
Spatial resolution
STM
Computer aid
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Summary:The design of a novel process computer for a scanning tunnelling microscope is described. Our stabilisation system of a tunnel junction is based on a digital signal processor DSP32C from AT&T, mounted on a commercially available PC AT-compatible plug-in card. The resolution of the homemade electronics (I/O-system, high-voltage amplifier) comes up to 18 bit for the z direction and 16 bit for the x y direction. Hardware-offset adjustment and sample-tilt compensation are implemented. Test measurements confirm the high-resolution of our novel control unit. The concept could also be used for different scanning probe microscopes.
ISSN:0040-6090
1879-2731
DOI:10.1016/0040-6090(94)05828-8