Design and Construction of a Scanning Tunneling Microscope

This report describes the design and construction of a Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM). A Scanning Tunneling Microscope is a relatively new instrument in the field of surface science and has the capability of atomic resolution of surfaces. This report presents some background theory pertinent to the understanding of the STM. Theories of electron tunnefing, STM operation, and control theory are all briefly covered. This report also presents the mechanical and electrical designs used in the construction of the STM. Some historical developments are illustrated to justify design choices. Both the mechanical and electrical designs are described in detail. Also presented in this report are some results obtained during the design and construction of the STM. The imaging capabilities of the STM is presented with the images of different surfaces: a machined surface, an epitax_ially grown monocrystal of gold~ and graphite.