Apparatus and method for preparing metal probe tip

Abstract

The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for preparing a metal probe tip and controlling the curvature radius of the metal probe tip. The method includes the steps as follows: 1) a magnetic metal wire to be prepared is provided; 2) one end of the metal wire to be prepared is immersed under the electrolyte level of an electrochemical cell, and the other end of the metal wire to be prepared is connected with a positive electrode side of a control circuit; 3) a switch is closed, the constant current or constant voltage of the apparatus is maintained by a constant current and constant voltage source of the control circuit, and the electrochemical cell performs reaction until the metal wire to be prepared forms the metal probe tip under the electrolyte level. The method for preparing the magnetic probe tip has fast preparing speed and high efficiency, and can control the probe tip shape. The curvature radius of the probe tip is small, the probe tip surface is smooth, and the probe tip has stable quality. Additionally, the curvature radius of the probe tip can be controlled by the adjustment of the outputted constant current value and the concentration ratio of electrolyte. The prepared magnetic probe tip can realize spinning resolution in magnetic sample measurement.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention belongs to the field of nanometer technology, and in particular relates to a device and a method for preparing ultrafine magnetic metal needle tips by DC electrochemical corrosion. Background technique [0002] Since its invention in the 1980s, the scanning tunneling microscope has been widely used in the field of nanotechnology and has become one of the important tools for human beings to explore and manipulate nanoscale structures. The needle tip is one of the important components of the scanning tunneling microscope, and also one of the most important structural units to realize its function. Generally speaking, the smaller the radius of curvature of the needle tip (ie, the sharper the needle tip), the higher the spatial resolution of the scanning tunneling microscope. In recent years, many companies and laboratories at home and abroad have used electrochemical corrosion methods to prepare tungsten and platinum-iridium alloy tips with...

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Problems solved by technology

However, the study found that under the constant voltage mode, the electrochemical corrosion process is fast and slow, and the corrosion current fluctuates up and down, resulting in low yield and unstable quality of nickel tips.

In addition, constant pressure etching technology is difficult to achieve fine control of tip curvature radius, thus limiting the application of nickel tip in scanning tunneling microscope

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