A COMPACT SCANNING TUNNELING MICROSCOPE INTEGRABLE IN ULTRAHIGH-VACUUM SYSTEMS

This paper describes a scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) that is co nsistent with ultrahigh-vacuum standards. The construction is based on a simple and reliable mechanical system for bringing the needle dose to a sample with only two moving components in the vacuum. The smallne ss of the device means that all the components of the microscope inclu ding the optimized vibration-proof insulation system can be arranged o n a conventional vacuum flange with a bore diameter of 100 mm. The STM can be built in any commercial ultrahigh-vacuum system which has a co nventional central axial manipulator. The air-lock system allows the s amples and needles to be replaced repeatedly without breaking the vacu um. The sample can be moved to other zones for surface preparation or analysis by other techniques.