Abstract:
A combined surface topography and spectroscopic analysis instrument comprises a scanning tunnelling microscope tip (12); and a sample carrier (58) which supports a sample (10) so that a surface thereof to be analysed is presented towards the tip (12). The sample carrier (58) and the tip (12) are relative movable to enable the distance between the tip (12) and the surface to be varied in use and the sample surface to be scanned in two dimensions by the tip (12). An electron analyser is positioned to detect electrons from the tip (12) which have been back-scattered off the sample surface. A voltage controller (59) enables selective operation of the tip (12) in a first voltage range in scanning tunnelling mode, to enable spatial resolution imaging of the sample surface, and in a second, higher, voltage range in electron field emission mode whereby to permit the electron analyser to analyse the back-scattered electrons. The electron analyser is positioned so as to detect back-scattered electrons travelling at an angle of less than 20 DEG with respect to the sample surface.
Abstract:
A system for the measurement, analysis, removal, addition or imaging of material uses nanostructures in conjunction with mechanical, electromagnetic (optical) and electrical means. Such nanostructures and techniques are combined in a system that can modify bulk or large area objects such as silicone waffers and masks for lithography. An SPM system (100) for making modifications to an object (102) comprises an SPM probe for making the modifications to the object, a positioning system (103) for positioning the SPM probe with respect to the object, and a controller for controlling the positioning system such that the modifications of the object are made with the SPM probe particulate matter is removed from the object by the modifications, and the SPM probe makes sweeping motions over the object to sweep away the removed particulate material.g these elements in a system which can modify bulk or large area objects such as silicon wafers, and masks for lithography.
Abstract:
This disclosure relates to automatic determination of locations of one or more closely spaced donor atoms implanted into a semiconductor crystal lattice. A processor receives image data generated by a scanning tunnelling microscope (STM). The image data is indicative of a tunnelling current between a scanning tip and the crystal lattice at multiple image locations. The processor applies a trained machine learning model to the image data to determine a classification into one of multiple candidate configurations of the one or more donor atoms. The multiple candidate configurations relate to different locations of the one or more donor atoms in the semiconductor crystal lattice. Based on an output of the trained machine learning model, the processor determines the location of the one or more donor atoms in the semiconductor crystal lattice.
Abstract:
Methods, devices, and systems for controlling a scanning tunneling microscope system are provided. In some embodiments, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure utilize a control system included in or added to a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to receive data characterizing a tunneling current between a tip of the scanning tunneling microscope system and a sample, to estimate, in real-time, a work function associated with the scanning tunneling microscope system, and to adjust, by a control system, a position of the tip based on an estimated work function. Associated systems are described herein.
Abstract:
A method for determining a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid is provided that includes contacting the nucleic acid with a series of labeled oligonucleotides for binding to the nucleic acid, wherein each labeled oligonucleotide includes a known nucleotide sequence and a molecular nanocode. The nanocode of an isolated labeled oligonucleotides that binds to the nucleic acid is then detected using SPM. Nanocodes of the present invention in certain aspects include detectable features beyond the arrangement of tags that encode information about the barcoded object, which assist in detecting the tags that encode information about the barcoded object. The detectable features include structures of a nanocode or associated with a nanocode, referred to herein as detectable feature tags, for error checking/error-correction, encryption, and data reduction/compression.
Abstract:
There is disclosed herein an integrated scanning tunneling microscope and an integrated piezoelectric transducer and methods for making both. The device consists of one or two arm piezoelectric bimorph cantilevers (42, 46) formed by micromachining using standard integrated circuit processing steps. These cantilevers are attached to the substrate (32) at one area (80) and are free to move under the influence of piezoelectric forces which are caused by the application of appropriate voltages generated by control circuitry (88) and applied to pairs of electrodes (48, 36, 44; 52, 49, 44) formed as an integral part of the bimorph cantilever structure. The electric fields caused by the control voltages cause the piezoelectric bimorphs to move in any desired fashion within ranges determined by the design. The bimorph cantilevers have tips (66) with very sharp points formed thereon which are moved by the action of the control circuit (88) and the piezoelectric bimorphs so to stay within a very small distance of a conducting surface (84). The movements of the tip can be tracked to yield an image of the surface at atomic resolution.