A fully computer controlled, low cost STM

Summary If one examines the components of a scanning tunneling microscopy system, one finds, that for a great part the computer determines the abilities of it. Once a stable mechanical setup is constructed, it depends on the control part, which features the whole system shows and how convenient one can work with it. Here we present a scanning tunneling microscope which is, as far as possible, computer controlled and can be fully operated from a user surface on the computer. This has been achieved by the use of a two computer concept. The mechanics, electronics and software were self-developed; all other components were selected under the aspect of costs resulting in a low priced and yet high performance system.