STM Tips

DCBias

Piezo actuators

X Y

Z Atomically Sharp Tips:

28th March 2005 Charlie Sykes

KOH (3M)

1A/10V

STM Tip Etching

28th March 2005 Charlie Sykes

Pt CathodeW Anode

STM Tip Etching

28th March 2005 Charlie Sykes

Omicron Instruments Homemade

STM Tip Etching

28th March 2005 Charlie Sykes

10X50X

Optical Microscope:

STM Tip Etching

28th March 2005 Charlie Sykes

Fast Etch (10sec) Slow Etch (180 sec)

SEM Images (Lou Deguzman):

STM Tip Etching

28th March 2005 Charlie Sykes

SEM High Magnification:

Fast Etch (10sec) Slow Etch (180 sec)

STM Tip Etching

28th March 2005 Charlie Sykes

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

0.25 mm Tungsten Wire for CathodePlatinum or Platinum/Iridium (80:20) for Anode3 mol/dm3 KOH Solution Methanol(add 168g of KOH pellets to 1 liter of deionized water SLOWLY with stirring - DO NOT ADD WATER TO PELLETS, A LOT OF HEAT IS GIVEN OFF)

PROCEDURE:

Fill beaker with KOH solutionAdd electrodesConnect power supplyTurn up current to ~0.8 A for slow etch, ~1.2 A for fast etchOnce wire breaks turn off powerRinse new tip in deionized water and methanol a few times