Benchmarking Lateral Resolution in Dry Cryostats

This technical note presents a comparative analysis of the lateral resolution achieved by two attocube cryostats, the attoDRY2100 and attoDRY2200, in the context of atomic force microscopy (AFM) applications. It outlines the challenges posed by vibrations in closed-cycle cryostats and their impact on imaging capabilities. The study details the performance metrics of both cryostats, demonstrating that the attoDRY2200 provides superior vibration isolation, resulting in enhanced lateral resolution. Measurements indicate that particles with a nominal diameter of 30 nm appear larger in the attoDRY2100 due to vibrations, while the attoDRY2200 achieves a more accurate representation of 30.19 nm. The note further compares the attoDRY2200 with a conventional liquid cryostat, showing its advanced capabilities in maintaining low vibration levels across a range of temperatures. This analysis highlights the significance of vibration control in achieving high-resolution AFM imaging, particularly for nanoscale materials research.