A self-developed low temperature scanning tunneling microscope (LT-STM) for better thermal resolution. Using a pulse tube cryostat with helium cooling, sample temperatures of down to ~6 K can be reached. The use of a "dry" closed-cycle cryostat constitutes a new development in scanning probe microscopy, the main challenge being the mechanical decoupling between cryostat and microscope head.

Pressure Range: 

• Prep chamber: down to 10^-9 hPa
• Main chamber: down to 10^-10 hPa

Sample Temperature Range: 

• 8 K - 400 K

Equipment:

• electron beam evaporator
• reactive plasma ion etch
• self-developed, elaborate sample- and tip transfer system in ultra high vacuum for complete preparation of both under vacuum
• residual gas analyzer