POLAR SPM Lab
Compact, Rigid and Low Helium Consumption Low Temperature SPM
SPM LT SPM STM STS LT STM SP-STM SP-STS IETS HDL Manipulation Nanolithography AFM nc-AFM QPlus AFM
- STM, QPlus®-AFM & Spectroscopy
- Integrated TRIBUS Head
- Excellent SPM Stability
- Minimum Temperature: T < 5 K
- Helium Holding Time: > 200h
- Vertical Magnetic Field: B = ± 5T
- Optional 1 K pot for T < 1.7 K
The Polar SPM Lab is a low-temperature Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) for highest resolution STM, QPlus®-AFM, and spectroscopy experiments in a temperature range between < 1.7 K and 420 K and in high magnetic fields of up to 5T.
The ultra-compact design of the cryostat with a height of < 60cm ensures an immense mechanical stiffness and thus results in an excellent STM stability.
The hold time is optimised through a series of thermal decoupling stages to deliver an extremely low helium consumption of less than 1 litre per 24 hours and a hold time of > 200 hours at < 5 K.
The hold time is optimised through a series of thermal decoupling stages and thermal radiation shields, designed to deliver an extremely low helium consumption. With a liquid helium (LHe) consumption of less than 1 litre per 24 hours, the instrument achieves a hold time of > 200 hours at < 5 K before the cryostat needs to be refilled. Alternatively, the SPM can be operated with liquid nitrogen (T < 79 K). Viewports and closable entry doors in the radiation shields allow for SPM in-situ tip/sample exchange, optical access or in-situ evaporation. The low helium consumption offers both an economic benefit and permits long term measurement sessions.
The heart of the multi -application POLAR SPM is the TRIBUS SPM head. It is integrated into a compact bath cryostat system and employs a spring suspension and eddy current damping system for optimum mechanical decoupling. The TRIBUS SPM has a 3D (X/Y/Z) motor for tip and sample navigation, is extremely mechanically stable and offers numerous access ports for optical observation, in-situ sample and probe exchange and evaporation onto the sample/ substrate. An effective thermal shielding in combination with the compact design and short mechanical loops, and a high symmetry within the STM head are responsible for a very low relative drift between sample and measurement probe. Up to 10 additional electrical contacts to the sample extend the range of possible measurement modes. The proven Omicron sample plate design ensures the compatibility with existing SPM instrumentation and transfer systems. As an option, a superconducting coil for vertical fields of ± 5T can be offered for the POLAR SPM. The UHV compatible dry magnet is mounted at the bottom of the helium cryostat. In combination with tip/sample preparation (heating, ion etching, evaporation…) the POLAR facilitates a wide range of SPM operation modes including STM, QPlusAFM, Spin Polarized Tunneling as well as related spectroscopy (STS, I/V, dI/dV, df(V), force spectroscopy, IETS, …) experiments.
“QPlus® is a registered trademark of Professor Franz J. Giessibl, Regensburg, Germany”
More Information
STM
STM: Si(111) 7x7 at T = 4.7 K
STM: Au(111) at T = 4.45 K
Pb(100) at T = 4.5 K. Data courtesy of Thomas Gardenier and Ingmar Swart, University of Utrecht, NL
STM: Manipulation of CO molecules on Cu(111) at T = 4.5 K. Data courtesy of Jesper Moes, Thomas Gardenier and Ingmar Swart, University of Utrecht, NL
STM and STS at T = 1.49 K with POLAR and new optional 1K pot
STM/STS at T = 1.49 K with POLAR 1 K pot: NbSe2, Vmod = 100 µVrms
Right image: STM topography on NbSe2
Right spectrum: corresponding I-V spectra
QPlus AFM at high magnetic Fields
QPlus: NaCl(001) at B = 5 T and at 4.35 K
Variants of the POLAR SPM
Due to the unique and modular platform, the POLAR can be offered in these variants:
- POLAR XT: premium cryostat with > 200h helium hold time
- POLAR 5T: Polar with vertical magnetic field of up to B =5T
An on-site upgrade from POLAR XT to POLAR 5T is always possible.
Technical Concept
The rigid and compact cryostat has a height of less than 60cm. Tis unique concept enables a very compact UHV system design with extremely small foortprint and heigth.
Height of the Polar SPM Lab
Less than 2m total height makes the Polar SPM the most compact low temperature SPM on the market.
Sample Plates and Sensors
- Standard flag style sample plates (various sample plates available)
- Secure tip/sample handling and exchange via wobble stick
- QPlus® sensor or STM tip carrier
- Electrical sample plate with 10+1 electrical contacts
Results
Robustness of Bilayer Hexagonal Ice against Surface Symmetry and Corrugation
Two-dimensional (2D) bilayer hexagonal ice (BHI) is regarded as the first intrinsic 2D ice crystal. However, the robustness of such a structure or its derivatives against surface symmetry and corrugation is still unclear. Here, we...
Atomic Insight into the Interfacial Effect on the Molecular Solvation
The solvation of amphiphile molecules plays a crucial role in a broad range of physical, chemical, and biological processes. Although we have gained some insights into those processes of bulk solution, the interfacial effects on the...
Downloads
POLAR SPM Lab: Compact, Stable, Cold and with B-Field
The new POLAR UHV SPM is a low-temperature Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) for highest resolution STM, QPlus® AFM, and spectroscopy experiments in a temperature range of between <5 K and 420 K and in high magnetic fields of up to 5T.
POLAR SPM: 1 K pot NOW available!
POLAR SPM was designed, right from the beginning, to enable the introduction of a number of variants over time. Since the product launch, we have successfully integrated a superconducting magnet for vertical fields of 5 Tesla, a temperature variation facility for fast temperature variations of the sample (e.g. 50 K steps within only 5 minutes!), and the integration of a motorised lens for TERS measurements.