Development of a Radio Frequency-Scanning Tunneling Microscope for Research and Education in Nanostructures

这笔赠款支持波士顿大学开发用于纳米结构研究和教学的射频扫描隧道显微镜(STM)。射频扫描隧道显微镜(RF-STM)有可能成为纳米技术中最核心的工具之一。宽带(超快)操作将通过将射频坦克电路集成到STM隧道连接来完成。一个商业扫描隧道显微镜系统将被收购和改装，以允许与微型制造的尖端、射频电路和电子设备集成。RF-STM凭借其卓越的时空分辨率，将在众多具有技术和基础重要性的实验领域产生广泛的影响。在RF-STM可能实现突破的实验系统中，包括纳米级机械系统、纳米级电子系统、超导系统和自旋系统(使用自旋极化STM技术)。新系统将使缺陷和表面吸附运动的时间分辨研究成为可能。几名学生和博士后研究人员将接受射频扫描隧道显微镜的原理、结构和操作方面的培训。完成后，RF-STM将用于研究纳米结构中特别有趣的问题，从而使纳米科学和纳米技术方面的重要教育成为可能。开发的RF-STM将提供给波士顿大学和国家安全局物理科学实验室的感兴趣的研究小组，以利用这些机构的合作环境。该项目启动了拥有一流设施的政府实验室、国家安全局物理科学实验室和波士顿大学之间的合作。

This grant supports the development of a radio frequency-scanning tunneling microscope (STM) for research and education in nanostructures at Boston University. The radio frequency-STM (rf-STM) has the potential to emerge as one of the most central tools in nanotechnology. Broadband (ultra-fast) operation will be accomplished by integrating a radio frequency tank circuit to the STM tunnel junction. A commercial STM system will be acquired and modified to allow integration with microfabricated tips, radio frequency circuitry and electronics. With its superb spatial and temporal resolution, the rf-STM will have broad impacts in numerous experimental fields of technological and fundamental importance. Among the experimental systems where the rf-STM might enable breakthroughs are nano-scale mechanical systems, nano-scale electronic systems, superconducting systems and spin systems (using the technique of spin polarized STM). The new system will enable time resolved studies of defect and adsorbate motion on surfaces.Several students and postdoctoral researchers will be trained in the principles, construction and operation of the radio frequency-STM. Upon completion, the rf-STM will be used in studies of particularly interesting problems in nano-scale structures, thereby enabling important education in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The developed rf-STM will be made available to interested research groups at Boston University and the Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the National Security Agency to take advantage of the collaborative environments in these institutions. This project initiates collaboration between a government laboratory with superb facilities, the Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the National Security Agency, and Boston University.