Facilities

A material on a molecular scale
About us
Facilities

Our facilities

Two academics looking at the Scanning Probe Microscope

Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM)

Our extensive scanning probe microscopy (SPM) capabilities provide a wide range of sample characterisation at multiple length scales. At small length scales we have internationally leading expertise in single molecule and atomic resolution imaging using UHV-STM, UHV-ncAFM, liquid STM or ambient AFM instruments housed in the Lancaster IsoLab. At molecular to micron scales our SPM instruments also provide correlative and multi-parametric mapping including measurement of electrical and thermal conductance, mechanical, thermoelectric, charge, and electrochemical properties via methods including AFM, cAFM, KPFM, SThM, nanomechanics, and Seebeck mapping. For more information contact Dr Samuel Jarvis.

Scanning Electron Microscope Analysis with FIB, EBSD/EDS and Raman (SAFER)

One of only two systems in the UK, the SAFER system offers a huge range of analysis options to probe materials in the micron/nanoscale domain. Analytic capabilities include a Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscope, a focussed ion beam and a 3-laser Raman imaging platform. The system provides point, line, and mapping capability with full correlative analysis, allowing overlays of SEM images and EDS, EBSD and Raman maps. Samples can be made fully compatible with other instruments in the MSL facilities pathway for correlative study with multiple techniques. For more information see the SAFER page, or contact Dr Richard Wilbraham.

SAFER
Academics and students using the SAFER equipment
A student working on the Lancaster XPS

X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (Lancaster XPS)

The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) facility, Lancaster XPS, provides state-of-the-art facilities to study the elemental and chemical structure of materials. Our Kratos AXIS Supra X-ray photoemission spectrometer provides high-throughput XPS chemical analysis, and is fitted with radial distribution chamber, 3D chemical depth profile milling, chemical imaging mode, air-sensitive sample transport, integrated sample heating and cryo cooling, and temperature programmed XPS. Samples can be made fully compatible with other instruments in the MSL facilities pathway for correlative study. For more information see the Lancaster XPS page, or contact Dr Samuel Jarvis.

Lancaster XPS

Molecular Assembly and Transfer

We have expertise in fabricating surface coatings and thin films across the full range of length scales from single atoms and molecules to thick micron-scale coatings. Facilities include self-assembly, drop casting, spin coating, Langmuir-Blodgett deposition, plasma polymerisation, PVD, UHV thermal evaporation, and UHV electrospray deposition. We have particular expertise in molecular deposition and assembly utilising a range of characterisation methods to assess sample quality and performance. For more information contact Professor Benjamin Robinson.

Carbon molecules joined together
Academics working in the cleanroom

Device Fabrication and Cleanroom Facilities

Nanoelectronic device fabrication is the process of creating nanoscale structures and patterns on materials to create functional devices. Advanced tools for nanofabrication at Lancaster include Electron Beam Lithography (EBL), sputter deposition, evaporation, atomic layer deposition, plasma cleaning, and characterisation including four-probe measurement, Raman, and Photoluminescence. These tools are linked to class 100 and class 1000 cleanroom facilities available through the Lancaster Quantum Technology Centre. For more information contact Professor Edward Laird.

Quantum Technology Centre

High End Computing facility (HEC)

The High-End Computing (HEC) Cluster is a centrally-run service to support researchers and research students at Lancaster who require high-performance and high-throughput computing. The combined facility offers 13,000 cores, 59TB of aggregate memory, 24 Tesla V100 GPUs, 230TB of GPFS-based filestore for general use and 10PB of Ceph-based filestore for GridPP data. For more information see the Research Software Engineering page, or contact Professor Abbie Trewin or Professor Colin Lambert.

Research Software Engineering
Computer GPUs
An academic and a student in the ULT IsoLab pod

IsoLab Ultra-low Noise Facility

IsoLab is a dedicated building and suite of laboratories designed to provide the most advanced environments for studying materials and quantum systems in controlled conditions. The building sits on its own massive concrete foundation, with three above-ground laboratories each contained in their own separate pod. In the basement of each pod sits a 50-ton concrete isolation block floating on air springs. IsoLab research includes Nano-imaging and microscopy, Quantum Optics, and Ultra-low Temperatures, housing facilities used by researchers and industry across Materials, Physics, and Chemistry. For more information see the IsoLab page, or contact Dr Samuel Jarvis.

Isolab