The 1st Madrid International School of Scanning Probe Microscopy (Mad4SPM) is a two-day course designed as a training event for master students, PhD students and early-career scientists dedicated to nanoscience. Participants will receive comprehensive theoretical and practical instruction covering the complete SPM spectrum. The event will be held at the Madrid Institute of Material Sciences (ICMM) from May, 12 to 13, 2026.
Organized within the framework of the activities of the ICMM Severo Ochoa Project, this initiative is powered by the unparalleled expertise and state-of-the-art facilities of three leading Spanish research institutions: the ICMM-CSIC, UAM-IFIMAC, and IMDEA Nanociencia. All three institutes being members of SOMMa alliance and the Cantoblanco Campus de Excelencia.
The primary objectives of the SPM School are:
- To gain a solid foundation in both Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), covering the underlying operational modes and the physical mechanisms that enable sub-nanometer resolution.
- To provide a “hands-on” approach. Focusing on day-a-day methodological issues.
- To give a wide perspective of the SPM capabilities in different environments (from liquids to UHV) and to measure different samples (from topological quantum matter to living cells).
The program emphasizes the critical synergy between theoretical knowledge and experimental application. The schedule features:
- i) 15 x 30 min: Dedicated lectures in the ICMM Auditorium (15 different speakers).
- ii) 2 x 60 min: Hands-on data analysis workshops (attendees own laptop)
- a. WSxM from basics to advanced user
- b. Nanonis simulator
- iii) 2 x 30 min: Live demonstrations in state-of-the-art SPM laboratories and AFM exposition in the ICMM hall.
INSCRIPTION: link
TENTATIVE PROGRAM
Day 1: Tuesday, May 12th - Fundamentals and Operating Modes
| TIME | SESSION | SPEAKER |
09:15 - 09:30 | Welcome and Introduction | Organization (ICMM/IFIMAC/IMDEA) |
09:30 - 10:00 | The Nuts & Bolts of STM: Fundamentals (Quantum tunneling, DOS, constant current vs height modes, STS) | Jose Ángel Martín Gago (ICMM) |
10:00 - 10:30 | Manipulation of Matter: From atoms to electrons, chemical bonds, etc. | Ivan Brihuega (IFIMAC) |
10:30 - 11:00 | Unconventional STM | David Serrate (INMA) |
11:00 - 11:30 | COFFEE BREAK | |
11:30 - 12:00 | The Nuts & Bolts of AFM: Technological breakthroughs and resolution limits | Julio Gómez (IFIMAC) |
12:00 - 12:30 | Contact Modes: Beyond topography (Friction/LFM, adhesion, Force Spectroscopy), Conductive AFM, Piezo AFM | Cristina Gómez-Navarro (IFIMAC) |
12:30 - 13:00 | Dynamic Modes & Physics of Interaction: AM vs FM modes, Phase contrast, Introduction to Bimodal AFM | Ricardo Garcia (ICMM) |
13:00 - 14:30 | LUNCH | |
14:30 - 15:00 | From Forces to Material Properties: Connecting measured forces to novel physics (Overview of DFT, MD, ML) | Rubén Perez (IFIMAC) |
15:00 - 15:30 | STM Theory | Pavel Jelinek (PM) |
15:30 - 16:30 | Workshop: SPM Data Analysis (WSxM) | Nacho Horcas (UAM) (PA) |
16:30 - 17:00 | COFFEE BREAK | |
17:00 - 18:00 | Simulation and Control: Using Nanonis Simulator and Lock-in Fundamentals | Fabian Calleja (IMDEA) |
18:00 - 19:00 | Live Demonstrations (Demos): In situ AFM and STM lab visit | Organization (ICMM/IFIMAC/IMDEA) |
19:00 | Wine and Cheese Reception |
Day 2: Tuesday, May 13th - Complex Environments
Time | Session / Talk | Speaker (Affiliation) |
09:30 - 10:00 | STM/AFM in Low Temperatures and Ultra High Vacuum (Sub-molecular resolution & Cryo-force-spectroscopy) | Bruno de la Torre (CSIC) |
10:00 - 10:30 | AFM in Liquids: Operating in physiological environments (Double layer forces, damping, and high-speed AFM) | Pedro J de Pablo (UAM) |
10:30 - 11:00 | Electrochemical STM | Doris Grumelli (CONICET) |
11:00 - 11:30 | COFFEE BREAK | |
11:30 - 12:00 | Bio-AFM: Cells, bacteria | Sonia Contera (Oxford University) |
12:00 - 12:30 | Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM): Detecting magnetic domains, vortices, and skyrmions | Agustina Asenjo (ICMM) (MJ) |
12:30 - 13:00 | Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM): Mapping work function and surface potential | Thilo Glatztel (University of Bassel) |
13:00 - 13:30 | Sensing Light-Matter interaction with STM | Martin Svec (FZU) (PM) |
13:30 | Closing Remarks | Organization (ICMM/IFIMAC/IMDEA |
