STM & SPM cryogenic cable

Experiments that involve physically scanning over sample surfaces with the sub-micron resolution are extremely sensitive to mechanical vibrations, which distort the final image and limit spatial resolution. It is therefore vital to make sure that the setup is mechanically decoupled from the experimental environment by using a thin cryogenic cable. In scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) applications, a small tip is scanned across a sample with piezo actuators.

Atomic resolution can be obtained when the vibration isolation is sufficient. By attaching an antenna to the scanning tip, the effects of applying a microwave drive to a sample can be studied in detail. However, conventional semi-rigid coaxial cables introduce a mechanical connection to vibrating parts of the setup that degrades the measurement. Therefore, we have developed a special RF STM thin cryogenic cable with the unprecedented compact form factor.

Other applications might require a microwave connection to samples that are mounted on movable platforms such as a piezo stage. Rigid coaxial cabling limits the movement of such a stage, and thus requires a more flexible and thin cryogenic cabling solution.