Upgrade of a variable temperature scanning tunneling microscope for nanometer-scale spectromicroscopy

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), tip-enhanced photoluminescence (TEPL), and scanning tunneling microscope-induced luminescence (STML) combine the high spatial resolution of probe microscopies with the spectroscopic capabilities of optical techniques. Here, we describe the upgrade of an ultrah...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Cirera, Borja, Sáez-Coronado, A., Arribas, Daniel, Méndez, Javier, Sagwal, A., Ferreira, R.D.C., Švec, M., Merino, Pablo
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/415365
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/415365
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85215127557&doi=10.1016%2Fj.mex.2025.103156&partnerID=40&md5=2a2c27ac1b77ae146dac798cd6690040
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:3D metal printing
Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM)
Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS)
Ultrahigh Vacuum (UHV) lens holder
Descripción
Sumario:Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), tip-enhanced photoluminescence (TEPL), and scanning tunneling microscope-induced luminescence (STML) combine the high spatial resolution of probe microscopies with the spectroscopic capabilities of optical techniques. Here, we describe the upgrade of an ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) variable-temperature scanning probe microscope (VT-SPM) to perform tip-enhanced spectromicroscopy experiments at cryogenic temperatures. The home-made design includes a portable focusing lens (NA=0.45) that allows the simultaneous collection and injection of light from the tip-sample junction while assuring easy tip and sample transfers. We demonstrate the capabilities of our upgrade to resolve electroluminescence (EL), Raman, and TERS spectra using plasmonically active probes (Ag and Au tips) on various surfaces. We are able to observe the vibrational levels of C<inf>60</inf> deposited on Ag(111) with a lateral resolution of ∼2 nanometers. Moreover, we use the tunability of the gap plasmon distribution to observe intense anti-Stokes signals of C<inf>60</inf>, highlighting the spectral sensitivity of the system. This upgrade opens new possibilities for studying surface chemistry, catalysis, and molecular electronics at state-of-the-art spatial and spectral resolutions using accessible SPM systems. • Portable lens holder • In-situ adjustable position • Nanometer-scale vibrational spectroscopy © 2025 The Author(s)