Donor graphite intercalation compounds studied with a high stability STM

We have designed a small, rigid and easy operable scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) which shows low thermal drift rates due to its compact construction and the chosen materials. Using this instrument we have studied stage 1 donor graphite intercalation compounds (C₆Li and C₈K) with atomic resolution either in the current imaging, constant current or local tunnelling barrier height mode of operation. Ordered superlattices commensurate as well as incommensurate with the graphite lattice have been observed on the C₆Li surface. STM images on C₈K revealed a graphitic surface structure.