MRI: Development of an Ultra-High Vacuum Cryogen-free Low Temperature Proximal Probe System for the Exploration of Low Dimensional Materials and Nano-devices

摘要：低维材料、纳米结构和器件是近年来科技进步的推动力。随着尺寸的减小，量子涨落导致了新的物理和电子特性的出现。随着纳米结构在物理、生物、工程和医学等领域的应用越来越广泛，开发能够表征其特性的仪器以充分利用其潜力至关重要。新不伦瑞克罗格斯大学的主要研究仪器项目授予了该奖项，支持开发一种通用且独特的近端探针系统（PPS），该系统设计用于低维系统和设备的原位纳米级表征。该仪器对探测二维层、相关电子材料和纳米结构进行了优化。它的设计目的是在纳米尺度上提供多种物理参数，包括电子、磁性和机械响应，以及全球传输测量。结合多功能表征和样品调理模块的灵活结构将使其能够与现有和未来的仪器顺利连接。特高压手提箱将允许在特高压条件下，在不破坏真空的情况下，将罗格斯大学尖端的MBE设备合成的样品直接转移到PPS中进行原位表征。这将有助于发现新的相关电子材料、拓扑相和新的电子应用。该仪器集成了最先进的商业组件与样品加载和隔振的新概念，以产生一个紧凑和通用的扫描探头系统。基于静电负刚度机制的小占地内隔振器的创新设计将提供前所未有的隔振水平。这将使低温STM在无冷环境中运行，目前在现有的商业系统中是不可用的。摘要：这项重大研究仪器奖支持罗格斯大学新不伦瑞克分校开发用于探索低维材料和纳米器件的超高真空无低温近端探针系统。低维材料、纳米结构和器件是最近科技进步的推动力。它们的缩小尺寸促进了新颖和意想不到的物理和电子特性的出现。为了充分利用其潜力，开发能够表征其性质的工具变得越来越重要。该仪器将是一个多功能和独特的近端探头系统。该仪器结合了一套目前在商业系统中无法获得的功能，这将大大扩展可研究的物理现象和材料的范围。模块化设计和在超高真空、高磁场和无冷冻剂低温环境下工作的能力是这一发展的独特之处。该工具的开发将促进影响教育、培训、外联和工业合作的广泛活动。其新颖的设计理念允许高质量的成像和光谱，而无需投资于外部隔振所需的昂贵结构修改，这将使这些强大的技术在精英机构干部之外的研究人员和学生的范围内。学生将接触到广泛的扫描显微镜探针和成像技术。与Attocube（无低温扫描显微镜探针的领先开发商）的合作将有助于在未来的商业仪器中实现这种新颖的设计。通过开放参观、高中参观和展览等方式，通过该仪器获得的广泛图像将有助于向公众传播纳米世界的兴奋和丰富。

1337871 AndreiTechnical Abstract:Low dimensional materials, nanostructures and devices are the driving force behind recent technological and scientific advances. Quantum fluctuations associated with their reduced size lead to the emergence of novel physical and electronic properties. As nanostructures are being produced in ever growing variants with applications in fields as diverse as physics, biology, engineering and medicine it is crucial to develop instruments capable of characterizing their properties so as to fully exploit their potential. This award from the Major Research Instrumentation program to Rutgers University at New Brunswick supports the development of a versatile and unique proximal probe system (PPS) designed for in-situ nano-scale characterization of low dimensional systems and devices. The instrument is optimized for probing two-dimensional layers, correlated electron materials and nano-structures. It is designed to give access to multiple physical parameters at the nano-scale including electronic, magnetic and mechanical response, in tandem with global transport measurements. The flexible structure incorporating multi-functional characterization and sample conditioning modules will make it possible to smoothly interface with existing and future instruments. A UHV suitcase will allow transferring, under UHV conditions and without breaking vacuum, samples synthesized by the Rutgers cutting-edge MBE facility directly into the PPS for in-situ characterization. This will enable discovery of novel correlated electron materials, topological phases and new electronic applications. The instrument integrates state-of-the-art commercial components with new concepts for sample loading and vibration isolation to produce a compact and versatile scanning probe system. The innovative design with small footprint internal isolator based on an electrostatic negative stiffness mechanism will provide unprecedented levels of vibration isolation. This will enable low temperature STM operation in a cryogen free environment not presently available in existing commercial systems. Non-Technical Abstract:This Major Research Instrumentation award supports Rutgers University New Brunswick with the development of an Ultra-high Vacuum Cryogen-free Low Temperature Proximal Probe System for the Exploration of Low Dimensional Materials and Nano-devices. Low dimensional materials, nanostructures and devices are the driving force behind recent technological and scientific advances. Their reduced size promotes the emergence of novel and unexpected physical and electronic properties. It is increasingly crucial to develop instruments capable of characterizing their properties so as to fully exploit their potential. The instrument will be a versatile and unique proximal probe system. The instrument combines a set of capabilities, currently not available in commercial systems, which will significantly expand the range of physical phenomena and materials that can be studied. The modular design and the ability to operate under conditions of ultrahigh vacuum, high magnetic fields and in a cryogen free low temperature environment are unique to this development. The instrument development will stimulate a broad range of activities impacting education, training, outreach and industrial collaborations. Its novel design concept allowing high quality imaging and spectroscopy without the investment in costly structural modifications required for external vibration isolation will bring these powerful techniques within the reach of researchers and students beyond the cadre of elite institutions. Students will be exposed to a wide range of scanning microscopy probes and imaging techniques. Partnership with Attocube, a leading developer of cryogen-free scanning microscopy probes, will help implement the novel design in future commercial instruments. The wide gamut of images acquired with this instrument which will be disseminated through open houses, high school visits and exhibits will help communicate the excitement and richness of the nano world to the general public.