Apparatus for low temperature thermal desorption spectroscopy of portable samples.

An experimental setup for low temperature thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) integrated in an ultrahigh vacuum-chamber housing a high-end scanning probe microscope for comprehensive multi-tool surface science analysis is described. This setup enables the characterization with TDS at low temperatures (T > 22 K) of portable sample designs, as is the case for scanning probe optimized setups or high-throughput experiments. This combination of techniques allows a direct correlation between surface morphology, local spectroscopy, and reactivity of model catalysts. The performance of the multi-tool setup is illustrated by measurements of a model catalyst. TDS of CO from Mo(001) and from Mo(001) supported MgO thin films were carried out and combined with scanning tunneling microscopy measurements.

A portable quartz micro balance for physical vapor deposition techniques.

A portable quartz crystal micro balance for physical vapor deposition techniques is presented. The device is used for the calibration of evaporators employed in the preparation of thin film systems that are studied in surface science. The design is based upon a portable sample setup, highly versatile and customizable. It can be transported within an ultrahigh vacuum system, stored in a sample garage and be used in front of different evaporators. Details of the setup are described. Finally, the performance of the device is demonstrated and compared to scanning tunneling microscopy measurements.

A portable microevaporator for low temperature single atom studies by scanning tunneling and dynamic force microscopy.

Here, we present a microevaporator setup for single adatom deposition at low temperature, which is a prerequisite for most single atom studies with scanning probe techniques. The construction of the microevaporator is based on the tungsten filament of a modified halogen lamp, covered with the required adsorbate. Very stable evaporation conditions were obtained, which were controlled by the filament current. The installation of this microevaporator on a manipulator enabled its transportation directly to the sample at the microscope kept at 5 K. In this way, the controlled deposition of Li onto Ag(100), Li, Pd, and Au onto MgO/Ag(001) as well as Au onto alumina/NiAl(110) at low temperature has been performed. The obtained images recorded after the deposition show the presence of single Li/Au atoms on the sample surfaces as a prove for successful dispersion of single atoms onto the sample surface using this technique.