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Tip Preparation Sub-Facility

Darkfield Reflection Microscope and Integrated Micromanipulator

Microscope Information
Instrument Model: Axiovert 25 CA (under Materials Microscopy - Inverted - Axiovert 25 CA)
Manufacturer: Zeiss

Micromanipulator Information
Instrument Models: 461-XYZ-M (Translation Stage), SM-13 (13mm Micrometer)
Manufacturer: Newport

Axiovert 25 CA Inverted Reflected-Light Microscope

Description
Researchers have interest in carbon nanotubes due to their small diameter, high aspect ratio and high strength, which is ideal for atomic force microscopy (AFM).  With the Axiovert 25 CA, fabrication of these tips can be made possible.  The Axiovert 25 CA is a darkfield reflection microscope with integrated micromanipulators used to mimic a technique for attaching carbon nanotubes to the end of atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips as described in Nature ["Nanotubes as Nanoprobes in Scanning Probe Microscopy," H.J. Dai, J.H. Hafner, A.G. Rinzler, D.T. Colbert and R.E. Smalley, Nature, 384, 147 (1996).].  Along with the microscope, two X-Y-Z translation stages and manual micrometers capable of 1 micron resolution are needed for the manipulation of the nanotubes onto commercial tips.

It is equipped with several attachments providing these functions:

Note: Carbon nanotubes and STM/AFM probes are not supplied by the facility.
 
 
Main Page
Computer Controlled Tip Etching Station
Transmission Optical Microscope and Integrated Micromanipulator