<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This study investigates the crucial process of cleaning cold field emission electron emitters and scanning tunnel microscopy (STM) probes, particularly focusing on tungsten tips. The cleanliness of these tips is essential for maintaining optimal cathode properties, preventing impurities that can significantly affect the emission process. Various cleaning methods, including macroetching, ammonia cleaning, and hydrofluoric acid (HF) cleaning were explored and compared by scanning electron microscopy. The macroetching method, involving a mixture of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and hydrogen fluoride, proved to be too reactive, causing significant material removal and altering the tip’s structure. Ammonia cleaning did not significantly improve or harm the samples. However, oxide islands appeared in some areas, suggesting the potential formation of ammonium tungsten oxide. HF cleaning, specifically at 20% and 50% concentrations, demonstrated effectiveness in removing tungsten oxides without damaging the tip. Pre-cleaning with water and ethanol proved beneficial for subsequent HF refinement. Results suggest that HF is the most suitable method for oxide removal but a rinse with water is essential for removing residual sodium hydroxide. To maintain optimal properties, it is crucial to apply a less reactive layer quickly or transfer the tips to a water/ethanol bath to prevent oxidation.</p>
</abstract>

This study investigates the crucial process of cleaning cold field emission electron emitters and scanning tunnel microscopy (STM) probes, particularly focusing on tungsten tips. The cleanliness of these tips is essential for maintaining optimal cathode properties, preventing impurities that can significantly affect the emission process. Various cleaning methods, including macroetching, ammonia cleaning, and hydrofluoric acid (HF) cleaning were explored and compared by scanning electron microscopy. The macroetching method, involving a mixture of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and hydrogen fluoride, proved to be too reactive, causing significant material removal and altering the tip’s structure. Ammonia cleaning did not significantly improve or harm the samples. However, oxide islands appeared in some areas, suggesting the potential formation of ammonium tungsten oxide. HF cleaning, specifically at 20% and 50% concentrations, demonstrated effectiveness in removing tungsten oxides without damaging the tip. Pre-cleaning with water and ethanol proved beneficial for subsequent HF refinement. Results suggest that HF is the most suitable method for oxide removal but a rinse with water is essential for removing residual sodium hydroxide. To maintain optimal properties, it is crucial to apply a less reactive layer quickly or transfer the tips to a water/ethanol bath to prevent oxidation.

Cleaning of tungsten tips for subsequent use as cold field emitters or STM probes

Journal of Electrical Engineering

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

This study investigates the crucial process of cleaning cold field emission electron emitters and scanning tunnel microscopy (STM) probes, particularly...

Cleaning of tungsten tips for subsequent use as cold field emitters or STM probes

Publié en ligne: 10 févr. 2024

Pages: 41 - 46

Reçu: 05 déc. 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jee-2024-0006

Mots clés
STM probes, field emission, cleaning procedure, tungsten tip, FEM

© 2024 Zuzana Košelová et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Cleaning of tungsten tips for subsequent use as cold field emitters or STM probes

Publié en ligne: 10 févr. 2024

Pages: 41 - 46

Reçu: 05 déc. 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jee-2024-0006

Mots clésSTM probes, field emission, cleaning procedure, tungsten tip, FEM

© 2024 Zuzana Košelová et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Mots clés
STM probes, field emission, cleaning procedure, tungsten tip, FEM