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Updated: May 23, 2026

Scanning-probe Single-electron Capacitance Spectroscopy
Published on: July 30, 2013
Note: Circuit design for direct current and alternating current electrochemical etching of scanning probe microscopy
Matthew M Jobbins1, Annette F Raigoza, S Alex Kandel
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA.
Abstract:
We present control circuits designed for electrochemically etching, reproducibly sharp STM probes. The design uses an Arduino UNO microcontroller to allow for both ac and dc operation, as well as a comparator driven shut-off that allows for etching to be stopped in 0.5-1 μs. The Arduino allows the instrument to be customized to suit a wide variety of potential applications without significant changes to hardware. Data is presented for coarse chemical etching of 80:20 platinum-iridium, tungsten, and nickel tips.
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