Probing absolute spin polarization at the nanoscale.

Probing absolute values of spin polarization at the nanoscale offers insight into the fundamental mechanisms of spin-dependent transport. Employing the Zeeman splitting in superconducting tips (Meservey-Tedrow-Fulde effect), we introduce a novel spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy that combines the probing capability of the absolute values of spin polarization with precise control at the atomic scale. We utilize our novel approach to measure the locally resolved spin polarization of magnetic Co nanoislands on Cu(111).

A 10 mK scanning tunneling microscope operating in ultra high vacuum and high magnetic fields.

We present design and performance of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) that operates at temperatures down to 10 mK providing ultimate energy resolution on the atomic scale. The STM is attached to a dilution refrigerator with direct access to an ultra high vacuum chamber allowing in situ sample preparation. High magnetic fields of up to 14 T perpendicular and up to 0.

Miniature active damping stage for scanning probe applications in ultra high vacuum.

Scanning probe microscope (SPM) experiments demand a low vibration level to minimize the external influence on the measured signal. We present a miniature six-degree of freedom active damping stage based on a Gough-Stewart platform (hexapod) which is positioned in ultra high vacuum as close to the SPM as possible. In this way, vibrations originating from the experimental setup can be effectively reduced providing a quiet environment for the SPM.

Design criteria for scanning tunneling microscopes to reduce the response to external mechanical disturbances.

We present a simple one-dimensional model to find design criteria for a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) minimizing the response of the tip-sample distance to external mechanical disturbances. The underlying concept-achieving a response that is in phase and same amplitude-goes beyond the conventional approach to construct the STM as stiff as possible. It introduces optimization conditions relating the resonance frequencies of the different components to the STM assembly, which can be implemented accordingly during the STM design process.