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Wang J, Li Z, Zhao K, Dong S, Wu D, Meng W, Zhang J, Hou Y, Lu Y, Lu Q. Isolated scan unit and scanning tunneling microscope for stable imaging in ultra-high magnetic fields. Ultramicroscopy 2024; 261:113960. [PMID: 38547811 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2024.113960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
The high resolution of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) relies on the stability of its scan unit. In this study, we present an isolated scan unit featuring non-magnetic design and ultra-high stability, as well as bidirectional movement capability. Different types of piezoelectric motors can be incorporated into the scan unit to create a highly stable STM. The standalone structure of scan unit ensures a stable atomic imaging process by decreasing noise generated by motor. The non-magnetic design makes the scan unit work stable in high magnetic field conditions. Moreover, we have successfully constructed a novel STM based on the isolated scan unit, in which two inertial piezoelectric motors act as the coarse approach actuators. The exceptional performance of homebuilt STM is proved by the high-resolution atomic images and dI/dV spectrums on NbSe2 surface at varying temperatures, as well as the raw-data images of graphite obtained at ultra-high magnetic fields of 23 T. According to the literature research, no STM has previously reported the atomic image at extreme conditions of 2 K low temperature and 23 T ultra-high magnetic field. Additionally, we present the ultra-low drift rates between the tip and sample at varying temperatures, as well as when raising the magnetic fields from 0 T to 23 T, indicating the ultra-high stability of the STM in high magnetic field conditions. The outstanding performance of our stable STM hold great potential for investigating the materials in ultra-high magnetic fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihao Wang
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Zihao Li
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Kesen Zhao
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Shuai Dong
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Wenjie Meng
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Yubin Hou
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China.
| | - Yalin Lu
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China; Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei Anhui 230026, China
| | - Qingyou Lu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China; Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei Anhui 230026, China; Hefei Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China.
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Zhang Y, Zhao K, Zheng S, Wang J, Zhang J, Feng Q, Wang Z, Gao J, Hou Y, Meng W, Lu Y, Lu Q. Glovebox-assisted magnetic force microscope for studying air-sensitive samples in a cryogen-free magnet. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2024; 95:013701. [PMID: 38197772 DOI: 10.1063/5.0186587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Most known two-dimensional magnets exhibit a high sensitivity to air, making direct characterization of their domain textures technically challenging. Herein, we report on the construction and performance of a glovebox-assisted magnetic force microscope (MFM) operating in a cryogen-free magnet, realizing imaging of the intrinsic magnetic structure of water and oxygen-sensitive materials. It features a compact tubular probe for a 50 mm-diameter variable temperature insert installed in a 12 T cryogen-free magnet. A detachable sealing chamber can be electrically connected to the tail of the probe, and its pump port can be opened and closed by a vacuum manipulator located on the top of the probe. This sealing chamber enables sample loading and positioning in the glove box and MFM transfer to the magnet maintained in an inert gas atmosphere (in this case, argon and helium gas). The performance of the MFM is demonstrated by directly imaging the surface (using no buffer layer, such as h-BN) of very air-sensitive van der Waals magnetic material chromium triiodide (CrI3) samples at low temperatures as low as 5 K and high magnetic fields up to 11.9 T. The system's adaptability permits replacing the MFM unit with a scanning tunneling microscope unit, enabling high-resolution atomic imaging of air-sensitive surface samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Zhang
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, People's Republic of China
| | - Kesen Zhao
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, People's Republic of China
- The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaofeng Zheng
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, People's Republic of China
| | - Jihao Wang
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
- The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
- The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiyuan Feng
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
- The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Ze Wang
- The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhua Gao
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
- The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Yubin Hou
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
- The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjie Meng
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
- The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Yalin Lu
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingyou Lu
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-energy Quantum Materials and Devices, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
- The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, People's Republic of China
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Zhao K, Zhang J, Meng W, Zheng S, Wang J, Feng Q, Wang Z, Hou Y, Lu Q, Lu Y. Cryogenic spectroscopic imaging scanning tunnelling microscope in a water-cooled magnet down to 1.7 K. Ultramicroscopy 2023; 253:113773. [PMID: 37315346 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2023.113773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Spectroscopic-imaging scanning tunnelling microscope (SI-STM) in a water-cooled magnet (WM) at low temperature has long been desirable in the condensed matter physics area since it is crucial for addressing various scientific problems, such as the behaviour of Cooper electrons crossing Hc2 in a high-temperature superconductor. Here we report on the construction and performance of the first atomically resolved cryogenic SI-STM in a WM. It operates at low temperatures of down to 1.7 K and in magnetic fields of up to 22 T (the WM's upper safety limit). The WM-SI-STM unit features a high-stiffness sapphire-based frame with the lowest eigenfrequency being 16 kHz. A slender piezoelectric scan tube (PST) is coaxially embedded in and glued to the frame. A well-polished zirconia shaft is spring-clamped onto the gold-coated inner wall of the PST to serve both the stepper and the scanner. The microscope unit as a whole is elastically suspended in a tubular sample space inside a 1K-cryostat by a two-stage internal passive vibrational reduction system, achieving a base temperature below 2 K in a static exchange gas. We demonstrate the SI-STM by imaging TaS2 at 50 K and FeSe at 1.7 K. Detecting the well-defined superconducting gap of FeSe, an iron-based superconductor, at variable magnetic fields demonstrates the device's spectroscopic imaging capability. The maximum noise intensity at the typical frequency is 3 pA per square root Hz at 22 T, which is only slightly worse than at 0 T, indicating the insensitivity of the STM to harsh conditions. In addition, our work shows the potential of SI-STMs for use in a WM and hybrid magnet with a 50 mm-bore size where high fields can be generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kesen Zhao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei Institudes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, People's Republic of China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei Institudes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjie Meng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei Institudes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shaofeng Zheng
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, People's Republic of China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Jihao Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei Institudes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiyuan Feng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei Institudes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Ze Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei Institudes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Yubin Hou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei Institudes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qingyou Lu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei Institudes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, People's Republic of China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, People's Republic of China; Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, People's Republic of China; Hefei Science Center Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yalin Lu
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, People's Republic of China; Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, People's Republic of China
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Wang J, Li W, Meng W, Hou Y, Lu Y, Lu Q. Atomic imaging with a 12 T magnetic field perpendicular or parallel to the sample surface by an ultra-stable scanning tunneling microscope. Ultramicroscopy 2023; 251:113774. [PMID: 37270856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2023.113774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We present the first nonmetallic scanning tunneling microscope (STM) featuring an ultra-stable tip-sample mechanical loop and capable of atomic-resolution imaging within a 12 T magnetic field that could be either perpendicular or parallel to the sample surface. This is also the first STM with an ultra-stable tip-sample mechanical loop but without a standalone scanner. The STM head is constructed only with two parts: an improved spider-drive motor and a zirconia tip holder. The motor performs both the coarse approach and atomic imaging. A supporting spring is set at the fixed end of the motor tube to decrease the tip-sample mechanical loop. The zirconia tip holder performs as the frame of the whole STM head. With the novel design, the STM head in three dimensions can be as small as 7.9 mm × 7.9 mm × 26.5 mm. The device's excellent performance is demonstrated by atomic-resolution images of graphite and NbSe2 obtained at 300 K and 2 K, as well as the high-resolution dI/dV spectrums of NbSe2 at variable temperatures. Low drift rates in the X-Y plane and Z direction further prove the imaging stability of our new STM. High-quality imaging of the Charge Density Wave (CDW) structure on a TaS2 surface shows the STM's good application capability. Continuous atomic images obtained in magnetic fields rangs from 0 T to 12 T with the direction of the magnetic field perpendicular or parallel to the sample surface show the STM's good immunity to high magnetic fields. Our results illustrate the new STM's broad application ability in extreme conditions of low temperature and high magnetic field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihao Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China
| | - Weixuan Li
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China
| | - Wenjie Meng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China
| | - Yubin Hou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China.
| | - Yalin Lu
- Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China; Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026 China
| | - Qingyou Lu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China; The High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China; Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China; Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026 China; Hefei Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China.
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Geng T, Wang J, Meng W, Zhang J, Feng Q, Hou Y, Lu Q. A Novel Atomically Resolved Scanning Tunneling Microscope Capable of Working in Cryogen-Free Superconducting Magnet. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:637. [PMID: 36985044 PMCID: PMC10059664 DOI: 10.3390/mi14030637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We present a novel homebuilt scanning tunneling microscope (STM) with atomic resolution integrated into a cryogen-free superconducting magnet system with a variable temperature insert. The STM head is designed as a nested structure of double piezoelectric tubes (PTs), which are connected coaxially through a sapphire frame whose top has a sample stage. A single shaft made of tantalum, with the STM tip on top, is held firmly by a spring strip inside the internal PT. The external PT drives the shaft to the tip-sample junction based on the SpiderDrive principle, and the internal PT completes the subsequent scanning and imaging work. The STM head is simple, compact, and easy to assemble. The excellent performance of the device was demonstrated by obtaining atomic-resolution images of graphite and low drift rates of 30.2 pm/min and 41.4 pm/min in the X-Y plane and Z direction, respectively, at 300K. In addition, we cooled the sample to 1.6 K and took atomic-resolution images of graphite and NbSe2. Finally, we performed a magnetic field sweep test from 0 T to 9 T at 70 K, obtaining distinct graphite images with atomic resolution under varying magnetic fields. These experiments show our newly developed STM's high stability, vibration resistance, and immunity to high magnetic fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Geng
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jihao Wang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Wenjie Meng
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Qiyuan Feng
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Yubin Hou
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Qingyou Lu
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230031, China
- Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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Atomically resolved low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope operating in a 22 T water-cooled magnet. Ultramicroscopy 2023; 245:113668. [PMID: 36565650 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2022.113668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
We present the design and construction of a nonmetallic tip-sample mechanical loop featured Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) that operates in a 22 T water-cooled magnet at a low temperature of l.8 K. The STM head mainly consists of a spider-drive motor, stand-alone scanner, moveable sapphire sample holder, and sapphire frame. All parts exist in the tip-sample mechanical loop are made of sapphire to reduce the interference from high magnetic fields. Except for the necessary movement of the tip and scanner, all STM parts are stationary. More importantly, the tip-sample mechanical loop is separate from the motor after detecting the tunneling current, which helps prevent the high voltage signal interference from entering the tip-sample junction, leading to a high stable imaging. A Janis liquid helium cryostat is used to obtain a variable temperature range from 1.8 K to 300 K, and the STM head is cooled down via helium exchange gas. The STM head hangs at the bottom of a probe with a two-stage spring suspension to prevent the huge vibration generated by the water-cooled magnet from entering the tip-sample junction. The performance is demonstrated by atomically resolved STM images of graphite surface at 0 T and 22.8 T under room temperature. Furthermore, the obtained atomic-resolution images of NbSe2 at 1.8 K and 22 T, as well as high-resolution dI/dV spectrums at temperatures from 1.8 K to 8.5 K and magnetic fields from 0 T to 22 T are displayed. This is the first STM capable of atomic-resolution imaging and dI/dV measurement at 1.8 K in a 22 T water-cooled magnet. The high immunity to the magnetic field makes the nonmetallic tip-sample mechanical loop widely useable for atomic-resolution STM imaging in ultra-high magnetic field conditions.
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Li W, Wang J, Zhang J, Meng W, Xie C, Hou Y, Xia Z, Lu Q. Atomic-Resolution Imaging of Micron-Sized Samples Realized by High Magnetic Field Scanning Tunneling Microscopy. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:287. [PMID: 36837986 PMCID: PMC9961884 DOI: 10.3390/mi14020287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) can image material surfaces with atomic resolution, making it a useful tool in the areas of physics and materials. Many materials are synthesized at micron size, especially few-layer materials. Limited by their complex structure, very few STMs are capable of directly positioning and imaging a micron-sized sample with atomic resolution. Traditional STMs are designed to study the material behavior induced by temperature variation, while the physical properties induced by magnetic fields are rarely studied. In this paper, we present the design and construction of an atomic-resolution STM that can operate in a 9 T high magnetic field. More importantly, the homebuilt STM is capable of imaging micron-sized samples. The performance of the STM is demonstrated by high-quality atomic images obtained on a graphite surface, with low drift rates in the X-Y plane and Z direction. The atomic-resolution image obtained on a 32-μm graphite flake illustrates the new STM's ability of positioning and imaging micron-sized samples. Finally, we present atomic resolution images at a magnetic field range from 0 T to 9 T. The above advantages make our STM a promising tool for investigating the quantum hall effect of micron-sized layered materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixuan Li
- College of Metrology and Measurement Engineering, China Jiliang University (CJLU), Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Jihao Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Wenjie Meng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Caihong Xie
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Yubin Hou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Zhigang Xia
- College of Metrology and Measurement Engineering, China Jiliang University (CJLU), Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Qingyou Lu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Hefei Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
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Abas A, Geng T, Meng W, Wang J, Feng Q, Zhang J, Wang Z, Hou Y, Lu Q. Compact Magnetic Force Microscope (MFM) System in a 12 T Cryogen-Free Superconducting Magnet. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1922. [PMID: 36363942 PMCID: PMC9696729 DOI: 10.3390/mi13111922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) is among the best techniques for examining and assessing local magnetic characteristics in surface structures at scales and sizes. It may be viewed as a unique way to operate atomic force microscopy with a ferromagnetic tip. The enhancement of magnetic signal resolution, the utilization of external fields during measurement, and quantitative data analysis are now the main areas of MFM development. We describe a new structure of MFM design based on a cryogen-free superconducting magnet. The piezoelectric tube (PZT) was implemented with a tip-sample coarse approach called SpiderDrive. The technique uses a magnetic tip on the free end of a piezo-resistive cantilever which oscillates at its resonant frequency. We obtained a high-quality image structure of the magnetic domain of commercial videotape under extreme conditions at 5 K, and a high magnetic field up to 11 T. When such a magnetic field was gradually increased, the domain structure of the videotape did not change much, allowing us to maintain the images in the specific regions to exhibit the performance. In addition, it enabled us to locate the sample region in the order of several hundred nanometers. This system has an extensive range of applications in the exploration of anisotropic magnetic phenomena in topological materials and superconductors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asim Abas
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Department of Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Tao Geng
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Department of Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Wenjie Meng
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Department of Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jihao Wang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Department of Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Qiyuan Feng
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Department of Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Department of Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Ze Wang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Department of Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yubin Hou
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Department of Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Qingyou Lu
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Department of Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui, Hefei 230031, China
- Hefei Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
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Bian K, Gerber C, Heinrich AJ, Müller DJ, Scheuring S, Jiang Y. Scanning probe microscopy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021. [DOI: 10.1038/s43586-021-00033-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Guo T, Wang J, Meng W, Zhang J, Feng Q, Wang Z, Jin F, Wu W, Lu Q, Hou Y, Lu Q. A mechanical rotatable magnetic force microscope operated in a 7 T superconducting magnet. Ultramicroscopy 2020; 217:113071. [PMID: 32717554 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2020.113071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
We present a mechanical rotatable magnetic force microscope (MFM) with precise angle control that can be operated in a 7 T superconducting magnet. An inertial piezoelectric motor called a SpiderDrive was used for the coarse approach because of its high compactness, high rigidity, and small size. Due to the mechanical rotation design, the MFM head can be rotated in a 7 T superconducting magnet with a bore size of 89 mm so that the direction of the magnetic field can be changed from 0° to 90° continuously. The highest in-plane magnetic field strength tested was 7 T. This is the first rotatable MFM ever reported. Using the homemade rotatable MFM, we investigated a 40 nm thick La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 (LCMO) thin film on NdGaO3 (100) substrate with anisotropy, determining that the charge-ordering insulating (COI) phase of the LCMO disappears as the direction of the magnetic field changed from 0° to 90°. Furthermore, the ferromagnetic pattern, appearing as bright and dark contrasts and similar to that formed by the S and N of a magnet, was seen parallel to the direction of the magnetic field. The rotatable MFM in this paper is expected to be widely used in studying the anisotropy of magnetic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengfei Guo
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory and High Magnetic Field laboratory of Anhui Province, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, AnHui 230031, China; Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, AnHui 230026, China
| | - Jihao Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory and High Magnetic Field laboratory of Anhui Province, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, AnHui 230031, China
| | - Wenjie Meng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory and High Magnetic Field laboratory of Anhui Province, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, AnHui 230031, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory and High Magnetic Field laboratory of Anhui Province, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, AnHui 230031, China
| | - Qiyuan Feng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory and High Magnetic Field laboratory of Anhui Province, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, AnHui 230031, China
| | - Ze Wang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, AnHui 230026, China
| | - Feng Jin
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, AnHui 230026, China
| | - Wenbin Wu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, AnHui 230026, China
| | - Qingyi Lu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, JiangSu 210093, China; State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering. Nanjing National Laboratory of Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing JiangSu 210093, China
| | - Yubin Hou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory and High Magnetic Field laboratory of Anhui Province, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, AnHui 230031, China.
| | - Qingyou Lu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Conditions, High Magnetic Field Laboratory and High Magnetic Field laboratory of Anhui Province, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, AnHui 230031, China; Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, AnHui 230026, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, JiangSu 210093, China; Hefei Science Center Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China.
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