Streamlined Inexpensive Integration of a Growth Facility and Scanning Tunneling Microscope for in situ Characterization

TL;DR

This paper presents a cost-effective method to integrate a growth facility with a scanning tunneling microscope using commercially available parts and a novel magnetic wobble stick for reliable sample transfer.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified, inexpensive integration approach and a new magnetic wobble stick design to improve sample transfer reliability.

Findings

Successful integration of growth and STM chambers using off-the-shelf components

Enhanced sample transfer reliability with the new magnetic wobble stick

Cost reduction compared to custom-built solutions

Abstract

The integration of a scanning tunneling microscope chamber with a sample growth facility using non-custom, commercially available parts is described. The facility also features a newly-designed magnetic wobble stick to increase the reliability of sample transfer in a cost-effective manner.