In 2000 the SPG purchased an Omicron combined STM/AFM to further the tradition of scanning probe research within the group. The system consists of a fast entry load lock, UHV sample preparation chamber, and the UHV STM/AFM (which can be isolated from the sample preparation chamber). The instrument operates at a base pressure of ~1×10-10 mbar and is capable of atomic resolution STM. The STM/AFM expands the group's capabilities to include AFM for the first time. The system is fitted with LEED optics, which may also be used to perform AES, sample heating and any required additional sources. The STM/AFM has become one of the major research instuments within the group.
