attoCFM I
free-beam confocal microscope
low temperature, high-NA apochromatic objectives
broadband collection with low focal displacement
free-beam Faraday and Voigt geometry available
in-/out-of-plane configuration with single solenoid
unmatched long-term drift stability
measure single photon signals over extended periods

The attoCFM I has been developed to offer a maximum amount of flexibility for a convenient adaption to a large number of different quantum optics applications. This is realized by an external optics head, positioned outside the cryostat. Furthermore, the free-beam optical design allows for completely independent adjustment of the excitation and collection port. Therefore, applications such as Raman spectroscopy become accessible by appropriately filtering of the excitation and detection signals.
The easy handling opens up new possibilities in quantitative surface characterization in the sub-micron range. The attoCFM I is available with an optional interferometric encoder for closed loop operation. All parts are non-magnetic, and it is compatible with all attoCRYO setups with a 2” sample space and exchange gas cooling – whether it is a dry or a liquid setup. For more info please refer to the fundamentals section.

Specifications
General Specifications | |
---|---|
type of instrument | free-beam based confocal microscope with room temperature optics head and cryogenic objective |
sensor head specifics | unique low temperature compatible achromatic objectives with high numerical aperture, optimized for different wavelength ranges |
Confocal Unit | |
configuration | compact and modular design, two or more optical channels; standard configuration: one excitation and one detection channel |
key benefits | quick and reliable alignment of each channel, steering mirror for combined beams long-term stability |
quick-exchange of optical components | beamsplitters, filter mounts for up to 4 filters/polarizers, (1" diameter); optional piezoelectric rotator with filter mount |
pinhole configuration | two pinholes (fiber apertures), different illumination and collection wavelength possible |
pinhole size | dependent on fibers, typically 3 .. 9 µm mode field diameter |
compatible LT-objective | LT-APO/VIS, LT-APO/VISIR, LT-APO/NIR (see accessory section for more information) |
inspection unit | sample imaging with large field of view: ~54 µm (attoDRY) |
Illumination | |
excitation wavelength range | 400 .. 1000 nm, default 650 nm (others on request) |
illumination port specification | FC/ APC-connector for single mode fibers or free-beam configuration |
Detection | |
detection mode | e.g. reflection, luminescence, fluorescence, Raman (optional) |
detection wavelength range | detector upon user`s choice, typically Si detector (coupling of the light to other detectors) |
detection port specification | FC/ APC-connector for single mode fibers or free-beam configuration |
transmission option | low temperature compatible detector below the sample for transmission measurements (intensity) |
Sample Positioning | |
total travel range | 5 x 5 x 4.8 mm³ (open loop) |
step size | 0.05..3 µm @ 300 K, 10..500 nm @ 4 K |
fine scan range | 50 x 50 µm² @ 300 K, 30 x 30 µm² @ 4 K (optional, open loop) |
closed loop scan resolution (steady state, 100 ms sample time) | 1 nm rms typ. |
sample holder | ASH/QE/0 quick exchange sample holder and integrated heater with calibrated temperature sensor |
Suitable Operating Conditions | |
temperature range | 1.5 K..300 K (dependent on cryostat); mK compatible setup available on request |
magnetic field range | 0..15 T+ (dependent on magnet) |
operating pressure | designed for He exchange gas (vacuum compatible version down to 1E-6 mbar on request) |
Suitable Cooling Systems | |
titanium housing diameter | 48 mm |
bore size requirement | designed for a 2" (50.8 mm) cryostat/magnet bore |
compatible cryostats | attoDRY1000/1100/2100 |
Compatibility with Electronics | |
scan controller and software | ASC500 basic (optional; for detailed specifications please see attoCONTROL section) |
laser | LDM600 laser/detector module (for detailed specifications please see attoCONTROL section) |
Options and Upgrades | |
closed loop scanning & global sample coordinates | interferometric encoders for scan linearization and closed loop sample navigation |
ultra-large scan range upgrade | 80 x 80 µm² @ 300 K, 125 x 125 µm² @ 4 K |
in-situ inspection optics | incl. with CFM I external optics head |
closed loop upgrade for coarse positioners | resistive encoder, range 5 mm, sensor resolution approx. 200 nm, repeatability 1-2 µm |
sample holder upgrade | ASH/QE/4CX quick-exchange sample holder (8 electrical contacts, integrated heater & T-sensor) |
Voigt geometry upgrade | optional scanner for Voigt & Faraday geometry |
Features
Accessories
Suitable Cryostats
Fields of Applications
Customer Feedback
Dr. J. Szczytko
Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Warsaw, Poland
One of the real advantages of the attocube CFM I system is its flexibility – one can use the attocube CFM I optics setup for many optical applications – e.g. reflectivity, up-conversion and of course luminescence. You can control polarization of the light independently at detection and excitation ports. You can easily connect a spectrometer and record images and spectra at the same time. Together with the new LT-objectives from attocube, this works great!
Prof. M. Daldin
UFSCar, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
Thanks to the versatility of the attoDRY1000 used with the attoCFMI, the system has been serving our research group in different kinds of optical and electronic transport measurements. It's incredible stability on a cryo-free enviroment is the key for succesfully running measurements over long periods of time. We are also very glad with the first class technical support provided by attocube.