Advanced Nanoscale Thermal Imaging and CHaracterization Instruments – ANTICHI

For fundamental thermal science and numerous nanomaterials no mature solution to the issue of thermal measurement at the nanoscale currently exists. In ANTICHI our goal is to provide a versatile instrument that allows analysing in highly controlled experimental conditions thermal mesoscale processes to understand the fundamental nature of heat transport as well as measuring the heat conduction properties of materials at nanoscales. For that purpose, the project aims the development and the demonstration of a unique vacuum scanning thermal microscopy (SThM) instrument enabling thermal in contact-measurements in cryogenic conditions with both a nanoscale spatial resolution and an ability to evaluate sensitively the nanoscale heat transport over an extended temperature range (from 100 K to 300 K). Designed to deliver this, it includes the development of a new probe based on NbN resistive thermometry along with the necessary new instrumentation to improve its performances for cryogenic measurements (WP1), (2) a novel dual scanning thermal and electron microscopy (SThM-SEM) engine equipped with a cooling stage for bringing the sample at a temperature varying from 100 K to 300 K and using the new NbN SThM probe (WP2&WP3). Additionally, as surface wear and contamination induce strong uncertainties in SThM measurement, the hybrid instrument will be optimized for probe and sample in-situ cleaning. Adapted software and models will be set up for data processing and analysis. Lastly, the instrument capabilities evaluation will be carried out using protocols and reference samples, which were designed previously for that purpose in collaboration with European national metrology institutes. The instrument laboratory demonstration with a sample reference for its low-temperature behaviour will be the final project achievement. The recognized researchers in this initiative represent the different scientific disciplines of Physics, Engineering and Metrology underpinning the project.