LT-STM Omicron
Since October 2008, we operate an Omicron UHV LT-STM. The instrument offers combined STM/AFM capabilities in the temperature range of 3–350 K and a base pressure of 10-11 mBar at room temperature. Besides scanning probes, sample surfaces can be analysed chemically by XPS and structurally by LEED and RHEED. The system is further equipped with a range of evaporators, both on the STM and preparation chamber, a hydrogen cracker, and an ion gun.
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| Insertion of the LT-STM head into the UHV chamber. | LT-STM in its Faraday cage |
Selected atomic resolution STM images
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| Si(111) 7×7 reconstruction. | Haiku stripe on Si(001) |
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CDW on TiSe2
| CDW on TaS2. |
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May 2012 – Congratulations to
March 2012 -
February 2012 - Temperatures below -10°C and strong winds have united to produce amazing pieces of art along lake Geneva, here in Versoix.
November 2011 – One dimensional charge density wave discovered by scanning tunneling microscopy in CaC6, a superconducting graphite intercalate compound. Collaboration with the
September 2011 - MaNEP and the University of Geneva are celebrating 100 years of superconductivity.
July 2011 – A one dimensional electronic state has been uncovered along the core of a self assembled endotaxial Si nanoline at the Si(001):H surface, with a range of promising properties to explore 1D physics.
May 2011 – The anisotropic surface stress induced by Bi-nanolines is found to block the formation of embedded structures and stabilizes the nucleation of manganese silicide islands which grow in a preferred direction, forming nanowires on Si(001).
March 2011 – The oxygen migration scenario for electroresistive switching in manganites gets new support. Mobile oxygen adatoms and defects have been observed by scanning tunneling microscopy with atomic resolution at the surface of PrSr2Mn2O7. Collaboration with the
November 2010 - Migrating surface charges can simulate the giant piezoresistance observed in silicon nano- and micro-structures. See also comments in
September 2010 – A promising Silicon only template for nanoscale patterning has been self assembled into the Si(001) surface. This work has been selected by the
May 2010 – Congratulations to
April 2009 – The PhysiScope draws the attention of Nature Materials. See also the
April 2008 – Giant piezoresistance observed in a metal silicon hybrid structure. See also 




