SPECS SPM Aarhus 150

The SPM Aarhus 150 is an outstandingly stable and time saving instrument. A specially-designed variable temperature scanner platform of 3 kg mass with integrated low noise liquid nitrogen (LN₂) cooling device guarantees the uncompromised superior SPM performance. Special care was taken to decouple the flow cooler from the sample stage and yet ensure permanent cooling connection between them. For this dedicated flexible copper braids are used to couple the extra heavy scanner platform to the flow cryostat without affecting excellent stability of the SPM Aarhus. A tight mechanical and thermal contact between sample holder and SPM stage allows for the extremely accurate sample temperature control and stability. A typical cool down times of less than 60 min to the temperatures below 130K are achieved. A typical time span of 20 min from insertion of a sample at room temperature to “ready for SPM” at below 130 K and has been shown. For temperature ramps counter heating of the sample is possible even to elevated temperatures up to 400 K. A comparably low LN₂ consumption can be realized in operation as well as during the fast cool down of the cryostat from room temperature. About 20 l of LN₂ is consumed during initial cool down while the typical LN₂ consumption during operation at 130 K is about 10 litres per hour. Through the unification of the SPM mechanics into one STM/AFM unit, the SPM Aarhus 150 can easily be upgraded to AFM by using the KolibriSensor™. Our SPECS scanning probe microscope SPM Aarhus 150 sets a new standard by showing the highest thermal stability at variable temperatures between 90 and 400K without compromising its original mechanical stability. A direct in-situ optical access allows for the sample illumination and investigation of light induced processes. Additionally an evaporation port permits in-situ deposition on the sample surface and investigation of the growth processes during scanning.