Starting point: new sample and new tip are loaded in the STM. Tip-sample distance is “large” (i.e. few millimeters). STM is in lowest position, inside the centering pin and 1K-shield-window is open.

1. Position and focus USB camera such that you can see clearly sample and tip (start software “ ” on Labview/T-control computer)
2. Femto preamp: check back sidde of RHK, switch to BNC. Start Labview VI: STM Conductance. Set correct gain.
3. RHK premp: check back side of RHK, switch towards D9.
4. Prepare RHK controller: XYZ offsets in the middle (5.0). Set initially: time constant ~0.2, gain ~0.3. Set appropriate bias and current set points.
5. In RHK software, set Waveform “Parabola” and “Approach steps = 1”.
6. Use gain as Z-piezo motor speed control. When the tip and sample gap is very large, set gain ≥ 0.5. Observe if the Z motor moves fast enough. Keep the motor approaching “fast” until the sample gets close enough that the tip-sample gap can't be seen anymore (either via the camera or by eye looking into the view port).
7. When the gap gets small enough (less than 1 mm), slow down the Z motor by decreasing the gain. Decrease the gain till it's very hard to see the motor moving. Now the motor has to move very slowly, or the tip can crash. This is the “fine approach”.
8. When the fine approach is finished successfully (software will pop-up a window), set gain~0 and time constant~2 before releasing the tip via the software.
9. It is not advisable to scan when the STM is in the pin. Retract therefore 3 x 100 steps (Waveform “Sawtooth” and “Adjust steps = 100”, press +) and send the STM up with the “lift”.