Quantum Microscope Made in Jülich

A team led by Dr. Ruslan Temirov and JARA-FIT scientist Prof. Stefan Tautz has developed a novel scanning tunneling microscope that could significantly advance the study of quantum technology. In contrast to conventional microscopes, this one is equipped with a magnetic cooling system that enables almost vibration-free imaging and manipulation of matter at the atomic and molecular level at extremely low temperatures.

Scanning tunnelling microscopes capture images of materials with atomic precision and can be used to manipulate individual molecules or atoms. Researchers have been using the instruments for many years to explore the world of nanoscopic phenomena. A new approach by physicists at Forschungszentrum Jülich is now creating new possibilities for using the devices to study quantum effects. Thanks to magnetic cooling, their scanning tunnelling microscope works without any moving parts and is almost vibration-free at extremely low temperatures as low as 30 millikelvin. The instrument can help researchers unlock the exceptional properties of quantum materials, which are crucial for the development of quantum computers and sensors.

The complete press release is available on the website of Forschungszentrum Jülich: https://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2021/2021-08-31-quantenmikroskop.html

Original publication: https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0050532