A compact scanning tunnelling microscope with thermal compensation

A simple high-eigenfrequency scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) with atomic resolution is described. A small tube of piezoelectric ceramic is used as the scanner unit. Long-term drift is suppressed to first order using a compact construction of axial symmetry in combination with a thermal drift compensation in the z direction. The instrument is designed also for cryogenic applications and may be operated in conjunction with a personal computer.