An electromagnetic microscopic positioning device for the scanning tunneling microscope

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Abstract
We have developed a device that is capable of moving with steps as small as 70 Å in any direction over a flat surface. The device that we call the Maggot consists of two permanent magnets attached to the corners of a triangular plate that stands on a flat base with three fixed ball-bearing feet. The Maggot is propelled across the base by the magnetic fields from two coils that are powered by computer-controlled current pulses. Steering of the Maggot is made by vector addition of the pulses by the computer. A complete electromagnetic force theory is given in order to find the best magnet and solenoid geometries for maximum performance. The Maggot is UHV compatible, operates from 500 to 4.2 °K, and is most suitable for operation on a vibration-isolated base. Movement data is measured with both optical and scanning tunneling microscopy.

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