Ultra-low-noise transimpedance amplifier in cryogenic STM for studying novel quantum states by measuring shot noise

An ultra-low-noise large-bandwidth transimpedance amplifier (TIA) for cryogenic scanning tunneling microscope (CryoSTM) is proposed. The TIA connected with the tip-sample component in CryoSTM is called as CryoSTM-TIA. Its transimpedance gain is as high as 1 G Omega, and its bandwidth is over 300 kHz, but its equivalent input noise current power spectral density is less than 4 (fA)(2)/Hz at 100 kHz. The low inherent noise for the CryoSTM-TIA is due to its special design: (1) its pre-amplifier is made of a pair of low-noise cryogenic high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs); (2) the noise generated by one HEMT is eliminated by a large capacitor; (3) the capacitance of the cable connected the gate of the other HEMT to the tip is minimized; (4) thermal noise sources, such as the feedback resistor, are placed in the cryogenic zone. The dc output voltage drift of the CryoSTM-TIA is very low, as 5 mu V/degrees C. The apparatus can be used for measuring the scanning tunneling differential conductance spectra, especially the scanning tunneling shot noise spectra (STSNS) of quantum systems, even if the shot noise is very low. It provides a universal tool to study various novel quantum states by measuring STSNS, such as detecting the Majorana bound states. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.