Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) Lab Services

Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) enables human beings to observe the arrangement state of a single atom on the surface of matter and the physical and chemical properties related to the surface electronic behavior in real time for the first time. It is of great significance and wide application prospect in the fields of surface science, material science, life science and so on. It is recognized by the international scientific community as one of the top ten scientific and technological achievements in the world in the 1980s.

STM is widely used in industrial and basic research to obtain atomic images of metal surfaces. It provides a three-dimensional profile of the surface, which is very useful for characterizing surface roughness, observing surface defects and determining the size and conformation of molecules and aggregates on the surface.

Function introduction

• With atomic-level high resolution, the resolution of STM in the direction parallel to the sample surface can reach 0.1Å, which means that individual atoms can be distinguished.
• The three-dimensional image of the sample surface in real space can be obtained in real time, which can be used for the research of periodic or non-periodic surface structure. This real-time observable performance can be used for the research of dynamic processes such as surface diffusion.
• The local surface structure of a single atomic layer can be observed, rather than the average properties of the bulk phase or the whole surface, so the surface defects can be observed directly.
• It can work in different environments such as vacuum, atmosphere, and normal temperature. The sample can even be immersed in water and other solutions. No special sample preparation technology is required and the detection process will not damage the sample. These features are particularly suitable for studying biological samples and evaluating the surface of samples under different experimental conditions, such as heterogeneous catalysis mechanism, super-integration, and monitoring of electrode surface changes during electrochemical reactions.
• Combined with scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS), the information about the surface electronic structure can be obtained, such as the density of states at different levels of the surface, the surface electron trap, the charge density wave, the change of the surface potential barrier and the energy gap structure.
• Using the tip of STM, the movement and manipulation of atoms and molecules can be realized.

Our STM laboratory can provide the following services:

As a professional reliability third-party testing organization, T,C&A Lab's STM Laboratory can provide the following services according to ISO, ASTM and other standards. Welcome to contact our experts for consultation.

• General morphology testing
• Atomic resolution morphology testing
• Measurement of sample surface state density

Instructions for sending samples:

• Temperature: only 77K, cannot be tested at other temperatures.
• Sample requirements: It needs to be conductive, the scanning surface is very clean, very flat, and free of volatile matter.
• Powder samples, organic volatile samples, and samples containing unstable substances, such as sulfur-doped samples, gum-containing samples, and biological samples, are not accepted.
• Currently, the test with magnetic field is not supported.

Standards we test to

ASTM E2382, ASTM F1438

In addition, the experts in our STM Laboratory also provide a variety of custom services as your needs and requirements. Let's discuss the custom services with our experts for free.

Instruments and data

References

1. Hegmann, Frank A. Progress and Challenges in Terahertz Scanning Tunneling Microscopy. 2018 43rd International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz). IEEE, 2018.
2. Caballero-Quintana, Irving; et al. Interfacial Energetic Level Mapping and Nano-Ordering of Small Molecule/Fullerene Organic Solar Cells by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy. Nanomaterials 10.3 (2020): 427.

Note: this service is for Research Use Only and Not intended for clinical use.

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