Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help
O: Fachverband Oberflächenphysik
O 3: Scanning Probe Techniques: Method Development I
O 3.3: Talk
Monday, March 20, 2017, 11:00–11:15, TRE Phy
Design and Realization of a Variable-Temperature Scanning-Tunneling-Microscope for the Liquid-Solid Interface — •Oliver Ochs1,2,3 and Markus Lackinger1,2,3 — 1Physik-Department - Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany — 2Deutsches Museum, Munich, Germany — 3Center for Nanoscience, Munich, Germany
Scanning-Tunneling-Microscopy (STM) at the liquid-solid interface is a widespread experimental technique in the field of nanoscience to investigate self-assembly of supramolecular monolayers. Most liquid-solid STMs work under ambient conditions at room temperature. However, to clarify relevant and fundamental scientific questions concerning the kinetics and thermodynamics of self-assembly, it is desirable to carry out experiments at variable temperatures. Yet, the common approach of just heating the sample inside an STM normally causes temperature gradients that result in thermal drift. Furthermore, increased solvent evaporation at higher temperatures leads to unwanted concentration changes of the solution. As a new strategy for instrument design, we propose an STM that operates fully immersed into solution. Therefore the STM is integrated in a heatable, hermetically closed container with precise temperature control and stability. This minimizes temperature gradients, facilitates rapid thermalization upon temperature changes, and completely avoids solvent evaporation. First tests and measurements proved the functionality and suitability of the instrument for variable temperature experiments in liquids up to 100°C without any limitation of experimental duration due to solvent evaporation.