ABOUT PROJECT

Building STM with QNS

Scanning Tunneling Microscopes (STM) are tools for imaging conductive surfaces at the nanometer (0.0000001 cm) scale on surfaces. With mechanisms similar to a record player, STM utilizes the 'quantum tunneling’ effect which occurs between the ultra fine STM tip and the surface when electric charge is applied. The topography of the sample is obtained by moving the STM tip over the surface and measuring the tunneling current in a way that is similar to reading Braille. If you want to know more about STM please watch the video on our YouTube Channel.

Our electron Spin Resonance Scanning Tunneling Microscope (ESR-STM) machines are capable of measuring and manipulating single atoms and their spin states. Such extreme sensitivity is achievable at cryogenic temperatures (-150° to -273° Celsius!) and in a low vibration environment. We study and optimize each part of the system in order to build our own instruments that outperform comparable commercial machines. This project aims to introduce the key components of our machines and explain their importance.

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