The Core Facility in Nanotechnology, CorNa, was established by the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Stockholm University in the fall 2008. It represents a joint effort of the departments of Physics and Physical, Inorganic and Structural Chemistry (MMK-chemistry) to create an open and versatile research environment in the rapidly growing area of nano-science. CorNa unifies the exiting nano-fabrication and characterization facilities of materials and particles down to the atomic level at the departments of physics and MMK-chemistry, respectively: the nano-fabrication clean-room, NanoFabLab, at AlbaNova University Center (maintained in collaboration between the Department of Applied Physics, KTH and the Department of Physics, SU) and the Electron Microscopy Centre, EMC, at MMK-chemistry, SU. Both facilities are established thanks to the generous financial support from the K.&A.Wallenberg foundation.

The purpose of the facility

  • To provide an open access to modern and versatile equipment for nano-fabrication and characterization of materials and particles for all users from SU;
  • To offer cost-efficient technical service for the equipment;
  • To provide financial and scientific support for new users;
  • To provide the corresponding education/training in various aspects of nano-science and characterisation of different type of materials and particles.
  • Service function and operation principles of the core facility

  • Open access principle: all users from SU get access at equal grounds to both the NanoFabLab and the EMC.
  • Support for new users: One of the main priorities of the core facility is to make the nano-fabrication/characterization equipment available and beneficial to a wide range of users from different groups at SU. Therefore, CorNa provides financial, scientific and technical support for new users during the introductory period.
  • Technical service: the technical stuff of CorNa maintains the equipment, provides various technical services and assistance with operation of the equipment.
  • Compliance with the local rules: operation of the core facility complies with the local rules of the NanoFabLab and the EMC at the respective cite. Those include user- and time-fees, booking system, safety rules, materials and chemical usage, driving licenses for equipment etc.
  • Education and driving licenses: Users can run the equipment only after proper training. A range of advanced courses in nano-technology and electron microscopy are offered for SU students. Technical courses at various levels will be organised for all members of SU. Individual training for obtaining driving licenses for specific instruments are given by the authorized personal from NanoFabLab and EMC.