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

1337871安德烈技术摘要：低维材料、纳米结构和器件是最近技术和科学进步的驱动力。与尺寸减小相关的量子涨落导致了新的物理和电子性质的出现。由于纳米结构的种类越来越多，在物理、生物、工程和医学等领域的应用也越来越广泛，因此开发能够表征其特性的仪器以充分开发其潜力至关重要。该奖项由位于新不伦瑞克的罗格斯大学的重大研究仪器项目授予，旨在支持开发一种多功能且独特的近端探头系统(PPS)，用于低维系统和设备的原位纳米级表征。该仪器针对探测二维层、相关电子材料和纳米结构进行了优化。它的设计目的是使人们能够获得纳米级的多种物理参数，包括电、磁和机械响应，并与全球交通测量相结合。灵活的结构结合了多功能表征和样品调节模块，使其能够与现有和未来的仪器顺利对接。特高压行李箱将允许在特高压条件下，在不打破真空的情况下，将罗格斯先进的分子束外延设备合成的样品直接转移到PPS中进行现场表征。这将使发现新的相关电子材料、拓扑相和新的电子应用成为可能。该仪器将最先进的商业组件与样品加载和振动隔离的新概念相结合，生产出紧凑而多功能的扫描探头系统。采用基于静电负刚度机制的小型内部隔离器的创新设计，将提供前所未有的隔振水平。这将使低温扫描隧道显微镜能够在现有商业系统中目前无法获得的无制冷剂环境中运行。非技术摘要：这一重大研究仪器奖支持新不伦瑞克罗格斯大学开发一种用于探索低维材料和纳米器件的超高真空无制冷剂低温近程探头系统。低维材料、纳米结构和器件是最近技术和科学进步的推动力。它们尺寸的减小促进了新奇和意想不到的物理和电子特性的出现。开发能够表征其性质以便充分挖掘其潜力的工具日益重要。该仪器将是一种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提供的功能，这将显著扩大可以研究的物理现象和材料的范围。模块化设计和在超高真空、高磁场条件下以及在无制冷剂低温环境下工作的能力是这一开发的独特之处。仪器的开发将刺激影响教育、培训、外联和工业合作的广泛活动。其新颖的设计概念允许在不投资于外部隔振所需的昂贵结构修改的情况下获得高质量的成像和光谱分析，将这些强大的技术带到精英机构干部之外的研究人员和学生手中。学生将接触到广泛的扫描显微镜探头和成像技术。与无冷媒扫描显微镜探头的领先开发商Attocube合作，将有助于在未来的商业仪器中实施这一新设计。利用该仪器获取的各种图像将通过开放参观、高中参观和展览进行传播，这将有助于向公众传达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.