Question about I-V converter for Scienta Omicron VT STM

[Repairman]

Good evening all. This is my first post here, and I hope you don't mind a question like this. One of my coworkers is using a Scienta Omicron VT STM, and it comes with a little current-to-voltage preamplifier that sits inside a sealed golden case (call it an IVC). That preamplifier sits between the STM tip and a voltage reference converter (call it VRC), and it converts the tip current into a suitable voltage (with respect to the gap voltage between the sample and the tip).

There were some mechanical issues with the tiny preamplifier, and we are looking into finding or building a replacement of our own that would suit our needs. I wanted to ask here if anyone had any issues with their IVC, or if they had to build their own. What components were used to build a suitable IVC that can replace the damaged one?

We have a schematic block diagram showing the general function of how this IVC is laid out as well as its specifications, but we don't know what components are used in it.

[Jim Quinn]

Repairman -

Could you please explain what you mean by "mechanical issues"

for a preamplifier?  Are there moving parts in the preamplifier?

Is it a mounting issue?  Does it move externally?

regards,

- Jim

Dr. Jim Quinn, Dir. of Laboratories

Materials Science and Chemical Engineering

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY 11794-2275  USA

james dot quinn at stonybrook dot edu

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[Repairman]

Thank you for your reply. We have two IVCs, and one of them broke, though we did attempt to fix it. The issue with it was that one of the pins attached to the IVC was pulled off with the external connector, due to accidental excessive force when removing the connectors from it. My professor tried to fix it with epoxy, but ultimately, it still remains broken while we use the other, working IVC (making sure to be more careful with it). Regarding what's inside the IVC, we don't know because the entire IVC is sealed in a gold-colored case, and we can't pry it open without permanently exposing the contents to open air. We don't know if there any moving parts in the IVC.

We reached out to Omicron in an attempt to buy a new one, but they said that they don't sell these IVCs anymore. Thus, we are attempting to build our own in an effort to save money. 

If it helps, below is a link to a picture of the IVC, or at least a similar model to our IVC. This image was taken from another post I found in the Google Groups. That's why I wanted to reach out to people here to see if they might have some experience with this issue.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ydSQkgfTfk4/Vwz3a6F95eI/AAAAAAAAAFo/AX5n9K_nhismaX-rr20UTdh7IeExnGHdwCLcB/s1600/IVC%2Bof%2BOmicron%2BVT%2BSTM.jpg