Reduced Vibration Noise for Ultra-High Vacuum STM
Case Study
Application: Surface Analysis
Instrument: Omicron Variable Temperature Ultra-High Vacuum Scanning Tunneling Microscope (VT UHV-STM)
Isolation System : Six-module AVI-200S Active Vibration Control System
Problem
Researchers at the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the University of Newcastle in Australia were facing limitations in the performance of their Omicron Variable Temperature Ultra-High Vacuum Scanning Tunneling Microscope (VT UHV-STM). They had determined that vibrations from a nearby highway were preventing them from using the instrument at its maximum performance.
Solution
The researchers contacted Herzan to specify a supplementary vibration isolation system to retrofit to the instrument. Based on the size and weight of their instrument and the performance that was required, a six-module AVI-200S active vibration control system was selected. The system fits entirely under the STM body without increasing the footprint or height of the system. This was a major advantage due to the limited space of the researchers’ lab.
Even as a retrofit, the installation was straightforward. Once the STM was back up and running, the researchers found a dramatic improvement to the noise floor on the instrument. Quantitative and qualitative tests showed that they could now operate their instrument at its full performance.
“[We] first tried air legs, but these actually increased our problems with vibrational noise. I believe the reason for this is that the air legs gave the system additional freedom to move and so vibrations from stainless steel gas tube lines more effectively coupled in to our system, resulting in increased, rather than decreased noise. I will also be reporting back to my service contact at Omicron with the success of the active vibration isolation.”
Results
To request more information or a quotation for these or other Herzan products, contact IL Photonics.
Acknowledgements
Images and data courtesy of Dr. Steven Schofield, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, The University of Newcastle (Australia)