Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy Group

STM Research at the LCN

Our group studies a broad range of systems in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, exploring both basic science and applications (1) Omicron Cryogenic STM Variable temperature (1.6K - 350K) Vector field (6T vertical, 1T in plane)
(3) (1) (2)

STM is a technique for probing the surface of a solid with sufficient resolution (about 0.1 nm laterally) to capture images of individual atoms.

(2) Omicron LT/VT STM Variable temperature 3K - 900K Future upgrade to qPlus for STM/AFM (3) Oxford STM Variable temperature (3K - 400K)
Commercial low-temperature STM built by Omicron (Tmin ~ 4K)

It relies on the quantum mechanical process of tunnelling. A potential difference is applied between the sample and a very sharp tip, and electrons are able to pass between them to produce a small but measurable current.

Magnetic Nanostructures Research Application 1

Magnetic nanostructures have interesting quantum properties and play a central role in future data storage and computation paradigms. We study the impact of the local environment on individual magnetic spins at the atomic scale, including coupling to the surface and interactions with nearby spins. Using the effects of the local environment, we can control and engineer the quantum properties of spin systems.
Cobalt Atoms on Cu2N Islands on a Cu(100) surface

Silicon Nanotechnology
Dopants in Silicon Dopants in Silicon
Cross sectional STM, investigating the Si(111)-2x1 surface Cross sectional STM, and Bismuth dopants investigated Individual Antimony investigating the Si(211)-2x1 surface Identified new, element dependent reconstructions Individual Antimony and Bismuth dopants investigated Observed site dependant charge reconstructions Identified new, element dependentstates Observed site dependant charge states

A three dimensional STM image of a Sb dopant in silicon A three dimensional STM image of a Sb dopant in silicon

In addition to individual magnetic atoms, we also study single molecule magnets (SMMs). SMMs can have a giant spin S and large magnetic anisotropy D, which create an energy barrier U DS2 between the up and down spin orientations. Using STM-based spectroscopy, we can probe the spin state and the anisotropy of an individual molecular spin.

OrganicMolecules on Silicon Organic Molecules on Silicon

1 2 2 3 3
A three dimensional STM image of a Dy bis-Phthalocyanine molecule on Cu (100)

Future electronic devices may use individual molecules as functional components

Controlled voltage ramps applied to individual molecules We use atomic-resolution imaging by the STM tip can induce the adsorbate to stand up (shown right). This occurs through and spectroscopy to study the selective breakage of Si-C bonds and the dissociation 4 to the surface. Such isolated and upright of H atomsstructural, chemical and electronic molecules bring unique opportunities for single properties of individual organic molecule conductance measurements. 5

1 22 4 3 45 3 5

1 1 4 5

molecules

Acetophenone (C8H8O) on a silicon (001) surface: STM image (left) and calculated structural model (right). The bright protrusions in the image are Controlled pulses to acetophenone due to (1) pi-orbitals in the ring portion of the adsorbate, and (2-5) surface (left) cause it to stand up (right) dangling bonds that are enhanced by adsorption.

Novel Materials Research Application 2

Graphitic systems have an electronic structure that canthat can be Graphitic systems have an electronic structure be manipulated to to yield a variety of electronic ground states. manipulated yield a variety of electronic ground states. In superconducting CaC6, we have discovered a novel charge density In superconductingis linked wethe onset of superconductivity in wave structure, which CaC6, to have discovered a novel charge density wave structure, which is linked to the onset other superconducting systems.

Key Publications Key Publications

Interplay between Kondo screening and themay be able to store one bit of information [1,2] structures [1,2] Single and few atom spin structures, which local environment for single and few atom spin Exploring the process of oxygen migration in manganites [3] A model system for studying strain in in silicon the the atomic scale This This has in a patent disclosure [5] A model system for studying strain silicon at at atomic scale [4]. [4]. resulted also resulted in a patent Organic semiconductors for flexible electronics and photovoltaic cells [6] disclosure [5] Discovery of a charge density wave electronics and photovoltaic cells [6] Organic semiconductors for flexible structure in a superconducting graphite intercalate [7] Structural and electronic properties of silicon and germanium surfaces [8,9] intercalate [7] Discovery of a charge density wave structure in a superconducting graphite Interactions of electronic properties of silicon and germanium surfaces [8,9] Structural and organic molecules with the Si(001) surface [10,11]

of superconductivity in other superconducting systems.

This provides an exceptionally simple material graphene as a starting point for an exceptionally relation between stripes and This provides understanding the simple material graphene superconductivity.

as a starting point for understanding the relation between stripes and superconductivity.
Manganites are used extensively as solid oxide fuel cell cathodes

STM image of the surface of the stripe phase of CaC6. STM image of the surface of the stripe phase of CaC6.

Interactions of organic molecules with the Si(001) surface [10,11]

1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 4 6 5 6 Nature Physics 4, 847 (2008) Nature Physics 4, 103, (2008) (2009) Phys. Rev. Lett. 847 107203 Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 1072036 (2011) Nature Communications 2, (2009) Nature Communications 2, 6 (2011) Phys. Rev. B (2011) Patent disclosure 1100248.2 (2011) Phys. Rev. B 84, 041306(R) (2011) Appl. Phys. Lett. 98, 053302 (2011) Patent disclosure 1100248.2 (2011) Appl. Phys. Lett. 98, 053302 (2011) 7 8 9 10 11 Nature Communications (2011) 7 Nature Communications (2011) J. Chem. Phys., 134 (2011) 064709 8 J. Chem. Phys. 134, 064709 J. Chem. Phys., 133 (2010) 014703 (2011) 9 J. Chem. Phys. 133, 014703 2747, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 11 (2009)(2010) J. Chem. Phys. 131 (2009) 10470711, 2747 (2009) 10 Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 11 J. Chem. Phys. 131, 104707 (2009)

Manganites are used extensively as solid oxide adsorption and surface Oxygenfuel cell cathodes
exchange processes are critical for catalytic action Oxygen adsorption and surface exchange

Ben Scanning tunnelling microscope Bryant images can show the dynamics of oxygen adatoms at manganite Scanning tunnelling microscope images can show the dynamics of oxygen adatoms surfaces
at manganite surfaces
Atomic resolution STM image of PrSr2Mn2O7 Atomic resolution STM image of PrSr2Mn2O7 Oxygen adatoms and vacancies Oxygen adatoms and vacancies can be identified by STS can be identified by STS

processes are critical for catalytic action

STM Group Members

Academic Staff - Gabriel Aeppli, Department of Physics & Astronomy, UCL - Neil Curson, Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, UCL - Cyrus Hirjibehedin, Department of Physics & Astronomy and Department of Chemistry, UCL - Steven Schofield, Department of Physics & Astronomy, UCL Postdoctoral Staff - Benjamin Bryant, UCL - Reyes Calvo, UCL - Fadi El Hallak, UCL - Philipp Studer, UCL PhD Students - Jenny Oberg, Department of Physics & Astronomy, UCL - Adam Rahnejat, Department of Physics & Astronomy, UCL - Chris Rahnejat, Department of Physics & Astronomy, UCL - Kitiphat Sinthiptharakoon, Department of Electronic &Electrical Engineering, UCL - Ben Warner, Department of Physics & Astronomy, UCL

Acknowledgements
Work funded by