PSU STM History

Portland State University purchased a Scanning Tunneling Microscope in 1991. The STM was developed and built by the Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica located in Beijing China. The Institute sent the STM with a person to set up the system and demonstrate its capabilities. During the years of 1991 to 1994 the STM was used by a Ph.D. candidate to conduct research. Some work was done in the manufacturing of tips. It was found that cutting a small piece of Iridium wire at an oblique angle produced the most number of useful tips. The wire was cut using very sharp scissors used by surgeons in eye surgery. The following cartoon illustrates the technique: Tip techniques.

Project's currently being done with the Portland State University's STM.

Pictures of PSU's CSTM-9000 and supporting information.

Instructions for Scanning Tunneling Microscopy at Portland State University.