Systems and methods for automated tip conditioning for scanning tunneling spectroscopy

A method for automated tip conditioning for a scanning tunneling microscope, comprising:

• receiving by a computer one of surface imaging information or point spectral information from a quantum tunneling tip;
• locating by the computer a conditioning region within a scanning tunneling surface map for quantum tunneling tip conditioning;
• providing instructions by the computer to position said quantum tunneling tip over said conditioning region;
• providing instructions by the computer to move said quantum tunneling tip to come into contact and then retract from contact with said conditioning region;
• providing instructions by the computer to re-position said quantum tunneling tip over said conditioning region;
• providing instructions by the computer to perform scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements;
• and
• providing instructions by the computer to compare said scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements to a model to determine whether said quantum tunneling tip is in condition for use.

A computer-implemented method for automated tip conditioning for a scanning tunneling microscope, wherein the method is implemented in a computer system comprising one or more processors configured to execute one or more computer program modules, the method comprising:

• receiving by the computer system one of surface imaging information or point spectral information from a quantum tunneling tip;
• locating by the computer system a conditioning region within a scanning tunneling surface map for quantum tunneling tip conditioning;
• providing instructions by the computer system to position said quantum tunneling tip over said conditioning region;
• providing instructions by the computer system to move said quantum tunneling tip to come into contact and then retract from contact with said conditioning region;
• providing instructions by the computer to re-position said quantum tunneling tip over said conditioning region;
• providing instructions by the computer system to perform scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements;
• and
• providing instructions by the computer system to compare said scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements to a model to determine whether said quantum tunneling tip is in condition for use.