The NBIC serves as an incubator for new probes of nanostructure behavior and associated instrumentation development. It is equipped with a suite of scanning probes, opto-electronic/transport tools, and optical probes that are so recently developed as not to be available on commercial instruments. The environment facilitates the development and refinement of new probe-based techniques.

AFMs attached to 532 nm laser source and optical system for Raman spectroscopy. Resolution about 300 nm.
Two full-featured microscopes allow imaging of both opaque and transparent samples. The inverted system has oil immersion lens and high numerical aperture for high-resolution optical imaging.
Near-field scanning optical microscopy(NSOM)and photomultiplier tube yield ~100 nm optical resolution.
Raman spectrometer has edge and notch filters for and a full complement of diffraction gratings.
High-resolution CCD camera is cooled for noise reduction.

• In situ temperature measurement
• Graphene, carbon nanotubes and other carbon materials
• Semiconductor devices
• Nanotubes, nanowires, and quantum dots
• Polymers
• Optical devices such as semiconductor lasers, waveguides, and plasmonic devices Investigation of cellular tissue, DNA, viruses and other biological objects

MFP-3D 90 um closed-loop XY scanner.
Thermally stabilized chamber to reduce drift.

• AC and Dual AC: Q-controlled imaging; both air and fluid.
  
• Force curves in contact or AC modes, frictional force imaging.
• Nanolithography, EFM, and scanning surface potential.
• Conductive AFM, magnetic and piezoresponse force microscopy.
• Scanning impedance microscopy at GHz frequencies.
   

Ambient AFM with large (100 μm) scanner, 4-inch sample stage, and closed-loop scanner available.
Environmental hood for inert gas DC and AC electrical modulation of tip or sample stage.

• Lateral and piezo force microscopies.
• Tapping and torsional-resonance AFM.
• Scanning surface potential, scanning conductivity, and tunneling microscopy.
   

Asylum MFP-3D

• Total internal reflection fluorescence
• Inverted optical microscope
• Four laser illumination frequencies
• Heated environmental enclosure
• Bio-heater cell

Slideshow with additional information

Multi-environment AFM: Ambient, fluid cell, controlled gas.
Tip-bias control and built-in lockins electrical excitation

• Contact and dynamic scanning modes.
• EFM, SKPM higher harmonic imaging.
• MAC mode for dynamic actuation in fluids.
• Closed-loop and open loop scanners with 10μm & 100 μm range.

Electrical measurements in controlled environments.
Ambient, vacuum, and inert gas purge, 80-375 K.
DC and radio frequency probes.
Variable wavelength light for photo-excited phenomena.

• 150-1200 nm monochromator with 1-2 nm precision.
• Arc / deuterium lamps and lasers of varying wavelength.
• Agilent impedance analyzer (5 Hz - 30 GHz)
• Kiethley DC meter (1fA sensitivity).
• Kiethley 6 1/2 digit multimeter.
• SRS 30 MHz function generator.
   

Omicron VT-STM/AFM with Scala Controller
Nanonis PLL/Oscillator
Oxford UHV STM with RHK Controller

• Photon STM
• Scanning Gate Microscopy
• Nano Gap Electrodes
• Low energy electron diffraction
• Auger electron spectroscopy
• Sputtering
• Friction force, Conductance, and
• Noncontact AFM
• Scanning Kelvin Probe + Local dielectric AFM

Slideshow with additional information

Adhesion and friction measurements (sensitivity 10 nN-20 uN) using displacement control.
Unique feature: A novel electrostatically-driven & self-balancing sensor, which has zero compliance.
In contrast to nanoindentors and AFMs, there is no snap-in to contact.

In addition, the NBIC-affiliated research groups at Penn are encouraged to collaborate internally. A growing list of research expertise and instrumentation (with slideshows for individual facilities) may be found on our list of other Internal Upenn Resources page.