Scanning Probe Microscopy

Scanning Probe Microscopy and film growth

The SPM group is a part of Axis 1: « Elaboration of innovative materials and new characterization methods ».
The SPM group explores the possibility of constructing functioning electronic devices with dimensions on the nanometer scale by using both Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) and Pulsed Laser Deposition system (PLD). This multi-disciplinary field brings together fundamental and applied research, physics, chemistry and engineering. The core of the SPM group consists of scanning probe microscopes (in air or under high vacuum) to study new materials based on thin films, superlattices, and nanostructures obtained by PLD and electronic or optical littography.
Thin films are used extensively in electronic device technologies. Understanding the physics of thin film deposition process is therefore critical to much of modern microelectronics technology. Using Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM), we will gain some insight into the basic mechanisms of film growth. This technique is capable of very high spatial resolution down to the atomic scale under some conditions.
In addition, the laboratory is equipped with a transfert chamber which provides to directly bring the sample from the PLD system into the UHV microscope.

Microscopes

The laboratory is equipped with two microscopes:

• NT-MDT AFM (SMENA in air ):

All basic Atomic Force Microscopy techniques - topography, phase imaging, measurement of electric properties, nanolithography and more

• Omicron AFM-STM (VT-Beam deflexion) with Spechs electronics:

The Variable Temperature UHV SPM (VT SPM) from Omicron sets the benchmark for UHV AFM and STM technology. It offers a heating cooling concept for SPM in a temperature range from 25 K to 1500 K and many other features.