Accelerating Materials Innovation
Electron Spectroscopy
Scanning Probe Microscopy
Thin Film Deposition
Result of the Month (ROM), April 2026
Insight into the Ehrlich–Schwoebel barrier via three-dimensional atomic force microscopy mapping of surface potentials on Au (111)
Thin film growth is a critical process enabling modern applications ranging from electronic devices to advanced coatings. Among the parameters that govern thin film growth, the Ehrlich-Schwoebel barrier stands out with its tight control over interlayer transfer and, consequently, kinetics-dominated film morphology. Despite its importance, the precise measurement of the Ehrlich-Schwoebel barrier remains complicated, presenting a critical impediment to rational thin film design. Here, we provide an insight into the Ehrlich-Schwoebel barrier over monoatomic step edges on Au (111) surfaces via three-dimensional atomic force microscopy (3D-AFM) with sub-nanometer spatial precision, minimizing the need for empirical model assumptions or theoretical calculations. Our measurements provide a quantitative, real-space view of the complex potential energy and force landscape near step edges, verifying the presence of energy barriers and wells at the top and bottom of step edges, respectively. The effect of the herringbone reconstruction on the potential energy landscape is also analyzed, revealing an enhancement of interactions near the elbows and a slight attenuation of the ridges.
Latest news
Introducing ToF MIM
The global electronic band structure and its dynamics are of great interest in quantum materials. Scienta Omicron’s Time-of-Flight Momentum and Imaging Microscope (ToF MIM) is an efficient tool to characterise global electronic band structure and microstructure at once. It is ideally suited to study ultrafast electron dynamics in pump-probe experiments using ultrashort laser pulses.
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.