Donor graphite intercalation compounds studied with a high stability STM

Abstract

SUMMARY We have designed a small, rigid and easy operable scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) which shows low thermal drift rates due to its compact construction and the chosen materials. Using this instrument we have studied stage 1 donor graphite intercalation compounds (C 6 Li and C 8 K) with atomic resolution either in the current imaging, constant current or local tunnelling barrier height mode of operation. Ordered superlattices commensurate as well as incommensurate with the graphite lattice have been observed on the C 6 Li surface. STM images on C 8 K revealed a graphitic surface structure.