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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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| author | B. Cirera A. Sáez-Coronado D. Arribas J. Méndez A. Sagwal R. de Campos Ferreira M. Švec P. Merino |
| author_facet | B. Cirera A. Sáez-Coronado D. Arribas J. Méndez A. Sagwal R. de Campos Ferreira M. Švec P. Merino |
| author_sort | B. Cirera |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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 C60 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 C60, 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 |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-839e0c9966fa48d8ab485208781e4604 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2215-0161 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | MethodsX |
| spelling | doaj-art-839e0c9966fa48d8ab485208781e46042025-01-19T06:25:04ZengElsevierMethodsX2215-01612025-06-0114103156Upgrade of a variable temperature scanning tunneling microscope for nanometer-scale spectromicroscopyB. Cirera0A. Sáez-Coronado1D. Arribas2J. Méndez3A. Sagwal4R. de Campos Ferreira5M. Švec6P. Merino7Material Science Institute of Madrid (ICMM-CSIC). c/ Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049, Spain; Corresponding authorsMaterial Science Institute of Madrid (ICMM-CSIC). c/ Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049, SpainMaterial Science Institute of Madrid (ICMM-CSIC). c/ Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049, SpainMaterial Science Institute of Madrid (ICMM-CSIC). c/ Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049, SpainInstitute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences; Cukrovarnická 10/112, Praha 6 CZ16200, Czech Republic; Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University; Ke Karlovu 3, CZ12116 Praha 2, Czech RepublicInstitute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences; Cukrovarnická 10/112, Praha 6 CZ16200, Czech RepublicInstitute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences; Cukrovarnická 10/112, Praha 6 CZ16200, Czech Republic; Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences; Flemingovo náměstí 542/2, Praha 6 CZ160 00, Czech RepublicMaterial Science Institute of Madrid (ICMM-CSIC). c/ Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049, Spain; Corresponding authorsTip-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 C60 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 C60, 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 spectroscopyhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215016125000044Adjustable portable lens for scanning probe optical spectroscopy |
| spellingShingle | B. Cirera A. Sáez-Coronado D. Arribas J. Méndez A. Sagwal R. de Campos Ferreira M. Švec P. Merino Upgrade of a variable temperature scanning tunneling microscope for nanometer-scale spectromicroscopy MethodsX Adjustable portable lens for scanning probe optical spectroscopy |
| title | Upgrade of a variable temperature scanning tunneling microscope for nanometer-scale spectromicroscopy |
| title_full | Upgrade of a variable temperature scanning tunneling microscope for nanometer-scale spectromicroscopy |
| title_fullStr | Upgrade of a variable temperature scanning tunneling microscope for nanometer-scale spectromicroscopy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Upgrade of a variable temperature scanning tunneling microscope for nanometer-scale spectromicroscopy |
| title_short | Upgrade of a variable temperature scanning tunneling microscope for nanometer-scale spectromicroscopy |
| title_sort | upgrade of a variable temperature scanning tunneling microscope for nanometer scale spectromicroscopy |
| topic | Adjustable portable lens for scanning probe optical spectroscopy |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215016125000044 |
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