Accelerating Materials Innovation
Electron Spectroscopy
Scanning Probe Microscopy
Thin Film Deposition
Result of the Month (ROM), October 2024
"On-Surface Molecular Recognition Driven by Chalcogen Bonding"
Chalcogen bonding interactions have been widely employed to create ordered non-covalent assemblies in both solids and liquids. Yet, their ability to engineer molecular self-assembly on surfaces has not been demonstrated. Here, we report the first demonstration of on-surface molecular recognition solely governed by chalcogen bonding interaction. Scanning tunnelling microscopy and ab initio calculations reveal that a pyrenyl derivative can undergo non-covalent chiral dimerization on the Au(111) surface through double Ch∙∙∙N interactions involving Te- or Se-containing chalcogenazolo pyridine motifs. In contrast, reference chalcogenazole counterparts lacking the pyridyl moiety fail to form regular self-assemblies on Au, resulting in disordered assemblies.
Announcing the Winner of our 40th Anniversary Contest
Congratulations to Chuanxu Ma from the University of Science and Technology of China for winning our 40th Anniversary Photo Contest!
The Nanoscience Laboratory at USTC has been conducting research on single-molecule science and on-surface synthesis using our LT-STM Lab since 1998.
"Our LT-STM system, equipped with non-contact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) since its upgrade in 2016, has been incredibly stable. We can now capture bond-resolved AFM images of on-surface synthesized structures and measure their electronic properties simultaneously. The long liquid He holding time (3 days) allows us to easily acquire the high-quality data we need. Scienta Omicron, just like our LT-STM system, is always reliable!" - Chuanxu Ma.
Thanks to everyone who participated in our photo contest and celebrated with us!
Latest News
News PEAK-1.5 Now Available for Download!
We're thrilled to announce that PEAK-1.5 is now ready for download at the Scienta Omicron Customer Portal. Here's a quick overview of the new features you can expect with this release:
- New Sequence Control for easier setup of measurements
- A fresh Sequence View with Spectrum Region Summaries for better control during measurement
- Introduction of Continuous Pass Energies for optimisation of instrument resolution and data recording efficiency (requires a new software license)
- Introduction of a Detector Overexposure Monitor to protect the MCP/CMOS detector from intensity overload
Sample Manipulators
Open and Closed Cycle Sample Manipulators
When aiming at high experimental energy resolution for ARPES measurement, it is crucial to achieve ultra-low sample temperatures to quench thermal broadening. This is possible with state-of-the-art cryo manipulators reaching sample temperatures from < 3.5 K and featuring up to 6 fully motorized axes for a large range of movements. The manipulators are available as open and closed cycle. Open cycle manipulators reach lower temperature specifications and are rapidly cooled down from room temperature to 10 K in 15 min. The low He consumption below 1 l/h at ultimate temperature and the possibility to operate with liquid nitrogen at higher temperatures ensure a low operating cost. Closed cycle manipulators have no He consumption providing unlimited holding time.
Service Upgrade
PEAK Slit Control
Optimal analyser settings with remote control
In photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, there is always a trade-off between signal intensity and resolution. Optimising this balance is the key to obtaining smooth and sharp spectra within the shortest time possible. For hemispherical analysers, this trade-off is controlled by the selected entrance slit and pass energy.
PEAK Slit Control replaces manual slit changes at the analyser with a motorised and software-controlled slit. With the control of all analyser settings, easy and quick optimisation of signal intensity versus resolution is possible.
About Us
Scienta Omicron is a leading innovator in Surface Science and Nanotechnology. At our technology centres in Uppsala, Sweden and Taunusstein, Germany we develop and produce high-tech instruments. Our instruments support top researchers globally and are serviced by our four regional hubs in USA, China, Japan and Germany.
We provide state of the art instruments in Electron Spectroscopy, Scanning Probe Microscopy and Thin Film Deposition. Focusing on the race for new unique materials and solutions, in areas like – smarter batteries, next generation electronics, quantum technologies, solar energy, intelligent sensors and advanced materials, Scienta Omicron enables development of tomorrow´s materials.
THE SCIENTA GROUP: One Group, Two Leading Brands
Since 1983 the combined companies, including Scienta Omicron and Scienta Envinet (former Scienta Sensor Systems and Envinet GmbH respectively) that make up the Scienta Scientific Group have been leading the development of ultra high vacuum research and analysis equipment in the fields of Surface Science, Material Physics, UHV technology and Radiation Detection, resulting in scientific breakthroughs, Nobel Prizes and outstanding industrial equipment.