A scanning tunnelling microscope for use in ultrahigh vacuum is being constructed. This will be combined with equipment already purchased to provide an ultrahigh vacuum system that contains scanning tunnelling microscopy, Auger spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy, and sample preparation capability. The system will be used to study the structures of surfaces formed from copper and silicon (used for the synthesis of methylchlorosilanes); the chemical vapor deposition of tungsten onto silicon; initial stages of the surface oxidation of aluminum, nickel, and iron; and the structures, growth mechanisms, and thermal stabilities of metal monolayers on metal substrates.
