Materials Innovation Platform (MIP)
Accelerating the Pace of Discovery
PVDMBELaser MBEALDSputter DepositionDC Sputter DepositionRF Sputter DepositionEBPVDCVDPE CVD
- Multiple deposition modules and/or different deposition technologies
- Surface analysis between process steps for the chemical, electronical and structural investigations
- Ultra-clean UHV environment at any time during the transfer between modules
- Leading scientific components for forefront research
- Largest installed base of integrated deposition and analysis tool
- Extendability for additional deposition or analysis techniques
Materials Innovation Platforms (MIPs) integrate instrumentation for growth with sophisticated in-situ characterisation tools. Samples can thus be analysed at intermediate process steps to understand cause-effect correlations of a novel material’s growth and structure without leaving the clean UHV environment at any time. Scienta Omicron’s broad portfolio enables us to act as a single source supplier and a reliable partner for the design, production and in-field support, ensuring a smooth delivery process and a high system uptime.
Novel materials with unique properties are key enablers for new, disruptive technologies. Of special interest are nanomaterials, which can be engineered for specific physical, electrical, and chemical properties by exploitation of quantum size effects. Understanding cause-effect correlations of these materials' growth and structure supports the systematic discovery and optimisation of the desired properties. A proven and effective approach for this research is to use a 'Materials Innovation Platform'.
Materials Innovation Platforms (MIP) integrate instrumentation for growth and detailed characterisation of samples in-situ. Not only is sample quality preserved by maintaining UHV conditions, but analysis and growth can be done at intermediate process steps and performed far more rapidly than if the instrumentation was separated. Further, appropriate design of a MIP provides for expansion and exchange of capabilities as the research evolves. Working with a single supplier and partner to design, produce and support these MIPs ensures highest instrument uptime, ease-of-use, and productivity.
Enabling Forefront Research
Modern application fields need both, a fundamental understanding of the underlying physics and chemistry, as well as an integrated approach towards device implementation. A Materials Innovation Platform is the key to success whenever one of these topics is required:
- Multiple deposition modules and/or different deposition technologies
- Ultra-clean UHV environment during transfer between modules at any time
- Surface analysis between process steps for the chemical, electronical and structural investigation of surfaces and interfaces
- Extendability for additional deposition or analysis techniques
More Information
MIP Core Competencies
Our core competencies enable your success in challenging multi-module projects.
Competence
- Tailoring solutions to the scientific needs with more than 1000 UHV systems delivered
- Single source supplier and full project responsibility
- Global sales & service organisation
Application Know-How
- Technology leader in UHV surface analysis & MBE
- More than 30 supported technologies
- Experience in identifying suitable analysis techniques
Modular, Configurable & Extendable
- Installed base: > 20 complex MIPs, rapidly growing
- Quality & reliability ensures highest up-time
- Configurable modules for easy integration
Technical building blocks
- High quality UHV solutions
- Linear transfer (LTL)
- Radial distribution (RDC)
- Mistral system control
- Special purpose modules
Surface Analysis Techniques
Scienta Omicron offers the broadest range of UHV surface chemical and structural analysis techniques, fully integrated and interfaced by a single supplier. Virtually any of our turn-key analysis systems is suitable for use within a Materials Innovation Platform. Third Party systems such as Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Focused Ion Beam Lithography (FIB) and many more can be interfaced using dedicated buffer and sample handling systems.
- Angle Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy (ARPES Lab)
- X-Ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS Lab)
- Hard X-Ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (HAXPES Lab)
- Momentum Microscopy (NanoESCA)
- Scanning Auger Microscopy (SAM)
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (UHV-SEM)
- Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM), at variable and low temperatures, and in high magnetic fields
- Atomically precise electrical probing (LT Nanoprobe)
Thin Film Deposition Techniques
Proven research MBE systems - easy to use, flexible, expandable, and covering the full range of MBE-based technologies from small sample plates up to 4" wafers.
- Si/Ge, III-V, II-VI
- Oxide, Nitride
- Organic MBE
- Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs)
- Topological insulators
- Laser MBE
Interface technologies for Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD), Sputtering and more...
Reference systems

Nanofabrication & Epitaxy Cluster
The Nanofabrication and Epitaxy Cluster is a multi-user platform of the Helmholtz Foundation for research on structures and devices for quantum computing, semiconductor technology and materials, and concepts for novel devices. Extended in 2020 by a NanoScanLab (FIB/SEM), Large Sample SPM for 4" wafers, and LEED module.
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Epitaxy Laboratory
Materials Innovation Platform (MIP) with research focus on fabrication of epitaxially grown III-N semiconductors for optoelectronics and spintronics using a state-of-the-art cleanroom lab.
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Materials Innovation Platform (MIP) with MBE and Surface Analysis
Institute for Integrative Nanosciences (IIN) research activities cover flexible and printable magneto-electronic devices, self-propelled nanotools, strain-tunable single photon devices, ultra-compact self-wound batteries, as well as binary GaAs, AlAs, InAs layers, ternary InGaAs & AlGaAs compounds and self-assembled InAs and GaAs quantum dots.
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Materials Innovation Platform (MIP) with EVO-50 MBE, ARPES and LT Nanoprobe
The 2DCC-MIP is focused on advancing the synthesis of 2D materials within the context of a national user facility. The 2DCC is developing custom deposition tools with in-situ and real time characterisation and facilities for bulk growth of chalcogenide single crystals. Unique capabilities are also available to simulate growth kinetics through first principles and a reactive potential approach.
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Materials Innovation Platform (MIP) with MBE, NanoScan Lab, VT AFM and ARPES Lab
Research focuses on Magnetic Films and Spintronics, including antiferromagnet spintronics and multi-field control of magnetism.
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Materials Innovation Platform (MIP) with MBE, ALD, and XPS
The group’s multidisciplinary research focuses on the growth, characterisation, and device physics of quantum and semiconductor materials for novel devices and applications.
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Materials Innovation Platform (MIP) for Epitaxial Quantum Materials
Research focus on controlled synthesis of epitaxial thin films and nanostructures, including: ferroelectrics, strongly correlated oxides, multiferroics, superconductors, thermoelectrics, photovoltaics, oxide catalysts, electronic/ionic conductors, and the characterisation of their functional properties.
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Materials Innovation Platform (MIP) with 3 MBE Modules
Research focus on the topologically protected quantum effects in solid states, electron correlations and quantum coherence in semiconductor nanostructures, many-body effects in quantum Hall systems, interplay between disorder and interaction as well as the design, growth and fabrication of two-dimensional electron systems with controlled physical properties.
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Cluster Tool for MBE and ARPES
Materials Innovation Platform (MIP) with ARPES and MBE modules for the growth and characterisation of topological insulator chalcogenide crystals.
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Compact Materials Innovation Platform (MIP) with Lab10 MBE and VT SPM Lab
Materials Innovation Platform (MIP) to investigate novel materials such as monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC).
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Materials Innovation Platform (MIP) with LT STM and MBE
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Surface Science Analysis Cluster System
Cluster system offering multiple complementary surface science techniques, as XPS, UPS and AFM for detailed sample characterisation. The analysis system is integrated into a linear transfer line to ensure future expandability.