PEARL - X09LA: Photoemission and Atomic Resolution Laboratory

Photo-Emission and Atomic Resolution Laboratory (PEARL)

The renovated PEARL beamline will resume user operation in 2027.

PEARL is dedicated to the characterisation of local atomic and electronic structure at the surface of a variety of systems such as 2D materials, molecular networks, organic and inorganic semiconductors, nanostructures, thin films, and complex materials. Soft and EUV x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, ARPES) and diffraction (XPD/PhD) as well as scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS) give insight into emerging phenomena in condensed matter physics that are intimately tied to atomic arrangement or structural transitions. The new micro-focusing optics is dedicated to small or multi-domain samples and microstructures.

The laboratory integrates an extended UV/soft x-ray beamline with an angle-resolved photoelectron spectrometer and a low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) connected to the same ultra-high vacuum system. On-site surface preparation facilities include ion sputtering, high-temperature annealing and physical vapour deposition. A fast-entry load lock and ports for user-supplied equipment are also available.

Following the upgrade of the SLS 2.0 storage ring, the renovated beamline will open in Q4/2026 for pilot experiments. Please contact the beamline manager, matthias.muntwiler@psi.ch if you have any requests for measurement time.

Design parameters
Energy range90 - 2000 eV
Photon Flux2 × 1013 ph/s/0.1%BW @ 100 eV
5 × 1012 ph/s/0.1%BW @ 1000 eV
Spectral resolution E/ΔE20'000 @ 100 eV
10'000 @ 1000 eV
Spot sizesmall spot: 25 μm H x 15 μm V FWHM
micro focus: 5 μm H x 5 μm V FWHM
large spot: 0.5 mm H x 1.0 mm V FWHM
PolarizationLinear horizontal
EndstationScienta DFS30 photoelectron spectrometer
Carving 6-axis manipulator, 35-500 K, four-point probe contacts
Omicron low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope
In-situ surface preparation facilities
MethodsX-ray photoelectron spectroscoopy (XPS)
X-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPD, PED)
EUV photoelectron spectroscopy (EUV-ARPES)
Micro-ARPES, micro-XPS
Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM)
Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS)
Surface preparation and characterization

The PEARL beamline is operated by the Molecular Nanoscience Group.

Used equipment for sale

  • Scienta EW4000 extreme wide-angle photoelectron spectrometer