We modified an epi-illumination light microscope and mounted it on an ultra high vacuum chamber for investigating samples used in a surface science experiment. For easy access and bake out, all optical components are placed outside the vacuum and the sample is imaged through a glass window. The microscope can be operated in reflection brightfield or epifluorescence mode to image the sample surface or fluorescent dye molecules adsorbed on it. The homemade sample mounting was made compatible for the use under the microscope; sample temperatures as low as 6 K can be achieved. The performance of the microscope is demonstrated on two model samples: Brightfield-images of a well-prepared Ag(100) surface show a macroscopic corrugation of the surface, although low energy electron diffraction data indicate a highly ordered crystalline surface. The surface shows macroscopic protrusions with flat regions, about 20–200 μm in diameter, in between. Fluorescence images of diluted 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylicacid dianhydride (PTCDA) molecules adsorbed on an ultrathin epitaxial KCl film on the Ag(100) surface show a shading effect at surface protrusions due to an inclined angle of incidence of the PTCDA beam during deposition. For some preparations, the distribution of the fluorescence intensity is inhomogeneous and shows a dense network of bright patches about 5 μm in diameter related to the macroscopic corrugation of the surface. We propose that such a light microscope can aid many surface science experiments, especially those dealing with epitaxial growth or fluorescent materials.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
August 2017
Research Article|
August 11 2017
A surface science compatible epifluorescence microscope for inspection of samples under ultra high vacuum and cryogenic conditions
Christian Marquardt;
Christian Marquardt
1
Institut für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie der Universität Bonn
, Wegelerstrasse 12, 53115 Bonn, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Alexander Paulheim;
Alexander Paulheim
1
Institut für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie der Universität Bonn
, Wegelerstrasse 12, 53115 Bonn, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Nils Rohbohm;
Nils Rohbohm
1
Institut für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie der Universität Bonn
, Wegelerstrasse 12, 53115 Bonn, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Rudolf Merkel;
Rudolf Merkel
2
Institute of Complex Systems, ICS-7: Biomechanics, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
, 52425 Jülich, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Moritz Sokolowski
Moritz Sokolowski
1
Institut für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie der Universität Bonn
, Wegelerstrasse 12, 53115 Bonn, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Rev. Sci. Instrum. 88, 083702 (2017)
Article history
Received:
March 14 2017
Accepted:
July 26 2017
Citation
Christian Marquardt, Alexander Paulheim, Nils Rohbohm, Rudolf Merkel, Moritz Sokolowski; A surface science compatible epifluorescence microscope for inspection of samples under ultra high vacuum and cryogenic conditions. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 1 August 2017; 88 (8): 083702. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4997953
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign In
You could not be signed in. Please check your credentials and make sure you have an active account and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionPay-Per-View Access
$40.00
Citing articles via
Related Content
Development and applications of an epifluorescence module for synchrotron x-ray fluorescence microprobe imaging
Rev. Sci. Instrum. (June 2005)
Isolation and manipulation of living adherent cells by micromolded magnetic rafts
Biomicrofluidics (September 2011)
Design and construction of an epifluorescence microscopic surface balance for the study of lipid monolayer phase transitions
Rev Sci Instrum (November 1990)
Quantitative displacement measurement of a nanotube cantilever with nanometer accuracy using epifluorescence microscopy
Rev. Sci. Instrum. (May 2009)