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__Abtract__: In scanning tunneling microscopy, most methods of heating samples such as with bimetallic strips or infrared heat can be too drastic to allow for effective imaging due to the sensitive nature of the instrument. However, using a laser for heating does not add excess noise and can be easily controlled. From this concept, a design using a green laser can be implemented to heat the surface from the back of a sample. From calculations based on the size and thickness of the gold on mica sample, a 4-mW green laser suffices as a source of energy. A scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is used to measure the height expansion of the sample as a laser is exposed to the back of the sample. After about 30 seconds of exposure, the heat gain equals the heat loss to the surrounding environment, resulting in an equilibrium temperature. Using the STM, the expansion of the sample from the onset of heating to achievement of the equilibrium temperature is measured at about 5000Ǻ which calculations show correlates to an approximately 13 K increase. media type="custom" key="2543583"
 * “Design and implementation of a fast laser heating system for samples in scanning tunneling microscopy”**


 * References**

1  Narushima, T.; Kinahan N. T.; Boland, J. J. //Review of Scientific Instruments//. **78,** 053903, (2008) 2 Carmichael, E. S.; Ballard, J. B.; Lyding, J. W.; Gruebele, M. //J. Phys. Chem. C.// **2007,** //111,// 3314-3321