Dynamic electrochemical-etching technique for tungsten tips suitable for multi-tip scanning tunneling microscopes

Abstract

We present a method to prepare tungsten tips for use in multi-tip scanning tunneling microscopes. The motivation behind the development comes from a requirement to make very long and conical-shape tips with controlling the cone angle. The method is based on a combination of a “drop-off” method and dynamic electrochemical etching, in which the tip is continuously and slowly drawn up from the electrolyte during etching. Its reproducibility was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Comparison in tip shape between the dynamic and static methods was shown. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2007.94]