TipsNano supply with Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite (HOPG). It’s a type of pure, highly laminar graphite used as an atomic-scale calibration standard for atomic force microscopy and scanning tunnelling microscopy.
HOPG crystals are widely used as substrates in STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscopy). The most distinguishing features of HOPG which enable this application are a very smooth surface and electro conductivity.
HOPG has a layered structure which makes sample preparation very simple. By pressing a double-stick tape to a HOPG piece and peeling it off, one gets a fresh conductive surface which is very smooth. This surface can be examined in STM or serve as a substrate for other materials under investigation.
HOPG itself is an interesting object for STM investigations. One can measure the surface roughness, microscopic surface features, arrangement of the carbon atoms on the HOPG surface, etc. Besides, HOPG images at the atomic level can be used for calibrating STM for high-resolution imaging.
4 HOPG types (ZYA, ZYB, ZYD, ZYH) which differ by meaning of mosaic spread are available with sizes till 50x50mm. Both double-sided (DS) and single-sided (SS) HOPG pieces can be ordered.
Double-sided HOPG can be used from both sides and its properties are not changed in depth.
For one-sided piece the not working side is mat, glare less and can’t be cleaved. The number of working side cleavages of one-sided piece is limited in comparison with double sided substrate. The properties for one-sided piece are changed in depth.
