Resolution in the scanning tunneling microscope

1991 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 488-489
Author(s):  
R. J. Wilson ◽  
D. D. Chambliss ◽  
S. Chiang ◽  
V. M. Hallmark
Keyword(s):  
Scanning Tunneling Microscope ◽  
Fundamental Principle ◽  
Atomic Scale ◽  
Lateral Resolution ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Electronic Noise ◽  
Vertical Resolution ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Spatial Profile ◽  
Theoretical Analyses

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has been used for many atomic scale observations of metal and semiconductor surfaces. The fundamental principle of the microscope involves the tunneling of evanescent electrons through a 10Å gap between a sharp tip and a reasonably conductive sample at energies in the eV range. Lateral and vertical resolution are used to define the minimum detectable width and height of observed features. Theoretical analyses first discussed lateral resolution in idealized cases, and recent work includes more general considerations. In all cases it is concluded that lateral resolution in STM depends upon the spatial profile of electronic states of both the sample and tip at energies near the Fermi level. Vertical resolution is typically limited by mechanical and electronic noise.

Spin-Polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (SPSTM)

1991 ◽  
Vol 231 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Wiesendanger ◽  
D. Buergler ◽  
G. Tarrach ◽  
I.V. Shvets ◽  
H.-J. Guentherodt
Keyword(s):  
Scanning Tunneling Microscope ◽  
High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Atomic Scale ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Promising Technique ◽  
Polarized Electrons ◽  
Tunneling Microscope ◽  
Magnetic Structures ◽  
Spin Polarized

AbstractWe report on a novel promising technique for the investigation of magnetic structures at surfaces at high spatial resolution, ultimately down to the atomic scale. This technique is based on the observation of vacuum tunneling of spin-polarized electrons by means of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). We discuss appropriate probe tips for the spin-polarized STM (SPSTM) and describe initial experimental results. We further focus on the information obtained by SPSTM. Finally, the perspectives of SPSTM will be discussed.

Imaging molecules and metals on metal surfaces by scanning tunneling microscopy

1991 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 370-371
Author(s):  
S. Chiang ◽  
D. D. Chambliss ◽  
V. M. Hallmark ◽  
R. J. Wilson ◽  
J. K. Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Scanning Tunneling Microscope ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Near Neighbor ◽  
Atomic Scale ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Tunneling Microscope ◽  
Lattice Constants ◽  
Stm Images

Using an ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscope (STM), we have imaged naphthalene molecules adsorbed on Pt(111) and submonolayer metal coverages of Ni, Fe, Ag, and Au on Au(111). The STM is able to observe atomic scale features on both types of systems, giving information on the ordering and binding sites of atoms and molecules on the surface.High resolution STM images of naphthalene on Pt(111) show the molecules as bi-lobed features with three discrete molecular orientations on the surface, 120° apart, as shown for the ordered layer in Fig. 1. The absolute orientation of the long axis of the molecules is observed to be parallel to the near-neighbor directions of the Pt(111) lattice. The sketch of the observed features, shown in Fig. 2, with the molecules overlayed arbitrarily onto on-top sites of a Pt(111) lattice, demonstrates that the molecules are located on 3x3 lattice sites, with separation of 4 lattice constants between domains. Although the (6x3) LEED pattern reported previously was reproduced, the proposed unit cell is seldom observed in the STM images.

Scanning tunneling microscopy of E. coli RNA polymerase deposited onto an Au substrate by an electrochemical process

1991 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 378-379
Author(s):  
Rebecca W. Keller ◽  
Carlos Bustamante ◽  
David Bear
Keyword(s):  
Scanning Tunneling Microscope ◽  
Biological Sample ◽  
Substrate Surface ◽  
Electrochemical Process ◽  
Atomic Resolution ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Tunneling Microscope ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Preparation Techniques

Under ideal conditions, the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) can create atomic resolution images of different kinds of samples. The STM can also be operated in a variety of non-vacuum environments. Because of its potentially high resolution and flexibility of operation, it is now being applied to image biological systems. Several groups have communicated the imaging of double and single stranded DNA.However, reproducibility is still the main problem with most STM results on biological samples. One source of irreproducibility is unreliable sample preparation techniques. Traditional deposition methods used in electron microscopy, such as glow discharge and spreading techniques, do not appear to work with STM. It seems that these techniques do not fix the biological sample strongly enough to the substrate surface. There is now evidence that there are strong forces between the STM tip and the sample and, unless the sample is strongly bound to the surface, it can be swept aside by the tip.

Scanning tunneling microscopy of polymers: A status report

1989 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 330-331
Author(s):  
P.E. Russell ◽  
I.H. Musselman
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Sample Surface ◽  
Atomic Scale ◽  
Constant Current ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Status Report ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Wide Range

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has evolved rapidly in the past few years. Major developments have occurred in instrumentation, theory, and in a wide range of applications. In this paper, an overview of the application of STM and related techniques to polymers will be given, followed by a discussion of current research issues and prospects for future developments. The application of STM to polymers can be conveniently divided into the following subject areas: atomic scale imaging of uncoated polymer structures; topographic imaging and metrology of man-made polymer structures; and modification of polymer structures. Since many polymers are poor electrical conductors and hence unsuitable for use as a tunneling electrode, the related atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique which is capable of imaging both conductors and insulators has also been applied to polymers.The STM is well known for its high resolution capabilities in the x, y and z axes (Å in x andy and sub-Å in z). In addition to high resolution capabilities, the STM technique provides true three dimensional information in the constant current mode. In this mode, the STM tip is held at a fixed tunneling current (and a fixed bias voltage) and hence a fixed height above the sample surface while scanning across the sample surface.

Scanning Tunneling Microscopy of Amorphous Carbon Films

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 318-319
Author(s):  
Mircea Fotino ◽  
D.C. Parks
Keyword(s):  
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Amorphous Carbon ◽  
Carbon Films ◽  
Atomic Scale ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Amorphous Carbon Films ◽  
Image Optimization ◽  
Step Procedure ◽  
Stm Images

In the last few years scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has made it possible and easily accessible to visualize surfaces of conducting specimens at the atomic scale. Such performance allows the detailed characterization of surface morphology in an increasing spectrum of applications in a wide variety of fields. Because the basic imaging process in STM differs fundamentally from its equivalent in other well-established microscopies, good understanding of the imaging mechanism in STM enables one to grasp the correct information content in STM images. It thus appears appropriate to explore by STM the structure of amorphous carbon films because they are used in many applications, in particular in the investigation of delicate biological specimens that may be altered through the preparation procedures.All STM images in the present study were obtained with the commercial instrument Nanoscope II (Digital Instruments, Inc., Santa Barbara, California). Since the importance of the scanning tip for image optimization and artifact reduction cannot be sufficiently emphasized, as stressed by early analyses of STM image formation, great attention has been directed toward adopting the most satisfactory tip geometry. The tips used here consisted either of mechanically sheared Pt/Ir wire (90:10, 0.010" diameter) or of etched W wire (0.030" diameter). The latter were eventually preferred after a two-step procedure for etching in NaOH was found to produce routinely tips with one or more short whiskers that are essentially rigid, uniform and sharp (Fig. 1) . Under these circumstances, atomic-resolution images of cleaved highly-ordered pyro-lytic graphite (HOPG) were reproducibly and readily attained as a standard criterion for easily recognizable and satisfactory performance (Fig. 2).

Tuning the Activities of Cu2O Nanostructures via the Oxide-Metal Interaction

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wugen Huang ◽  
qingfei liu ◽  
Zhiwen Zhou ◽  
Yangsheng Li ◽  
Yong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Co Oxidation ◽  
Oxidation Catalysis ◽  
Atomic Scale ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Oxidation Reactions ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Temperature Oxidation ◽  
Metal Interaction ◽  
Tremendous Importance ◽  
Oxygen Atoms

Despite tremendous importance in catalysis, the design and improvement of the oxide- metal interface has been hampered by the limited understanding on the nature of interfacial sites, as well as the oxide-metal interaction (OMI). Through the construction of well-defined Cu<sub>2</sub>O-Pt, Cu<sub>2</sub>O-Ag, Cu<sub>2</sub>O-Au interfaces, we found that Cu<sub>2</sub>O Nanostructures (NSs) on Pt exhibit much lower thermal stability than on Ag and Au, although they show the same surface and edge structures, as identified by element-specific scanning tunneling microscopy (ES-STM) images. The activities of the Cu<sub>2</sub>O-Pt and Cu<sub>2</sub>O-Au interfaces for CO oxidation were further compared at the atomic scale and showed in general that the interface with Cu<sub>2</sub>O NSs could annihilate the CO-poisoning problem suffered by Pt group metals and enhance the interaction with O<sub>2</sub>, which is a limiting step for CO oxidation catalysis on group IB metals. While both interfaces could react with CO at room temperature, the OMI was found to determine the reactivity of supported Cu<sub>2</sub>O NSs by 1) tuning the activity of interfacial oxygen atoms and 2) stabilizing oxygen vacancies or vice versa, the dissociated oxygen atoms at the interface. Our study provides new insight for OMI and for the development of Cu-based catalysts for low temperature oxidation reactions.

Tuning the Activities of Cu2O Nanostructures via the Oxide-Metal Interaction

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wugen Huang ◽  
Yangsheng Li ◽  
Yong Wang ◽  
Yunchuan Tu ◽  
Dehui Deng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Co Oxidation ◽  
Oxidation Catalysis ◽  
Atomic Scale ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Oxidation Reactions ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Temperature Oxidation ◽  
Metal Interaction ◽  
Tremendous Importance ◽  
Oxygen Atoms

Despite tremendous importance in catalysis, the design and improvement of the oxide- metal interface has been hampered by the limited understanding on the nature of interfacial sites, as well as the oxide-metal interaction (OMI). Through the construction of well-defined Cu<sub>2</sub>O-Pt, Cu<sub>2</sub>O-Ag, Cu<sub>2</sub>O-Au interfaces, we found that Cu<sub>2</sub>O Nanostructures (NSs) on Pt exhibit much lower thermal stability than on Ag and Au, although they show the same surface and edge structures, as identified by element-specific scanning tunneling microscopy (ES-STM) images. The activities of the Cu<sub>2</sub>O-Pt and Cu<sub>2</sub>O-Au interfaces for CO oxidation were further compared at the atomic scale and showed in general that the interface with Cu<sub>2</sub>O NSs could annihilate the CO-poisoning problem suffered by Pt group metals and enhance the interaction with O<sub>2</sub>, which is a limiting step for CO oxidation catalysis on group IB metals. While both interfaces could react with CO at room temperature, the OMI was found to determine the reactivity of supported Cu<sub>2</sub>O NSs by 1) tuning the activity of interfacial oxygen atoms and 2) stabilizing oxygen vacancies or vice versa, the dissociated oxygen atoms at the interface. Our study provides new insight for OMI and for the development of Cu-based catalysts for low temperature oxidation reactions.

scholarly journals Visualizing atomic structure and magnetism of 2D magnetic insulators via tunneling through graphene

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhizhan Qiu ◽  
Matthew Holwill ◽  
Thomas Olsen ◽  
Pin Lyu ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Properties ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Magnetic Coupling ◽  
Atomic Scale ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Electronic And Magnetic Properties ◽  
Conducting Path ◽  
Magnetic Insulators ◽  
Quantum Technology

AbstractThe discovery of two-dimensional (2D) magnetism combined with van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure engineering offers unprecedented opportunities for creating artificial magnetic structures with non-trivial magnetic textures. Further progress hinges on deep understanding of electronic and magnetic properties of 2D magnets at the atomic scale. Although local electronic properties can be probed by scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS), its application to investigate 2D magnetic insulators remains elusive due to absence of a conducting path and their extreme air sensitivity. Here we demonstrate that few-layer CrI3 (FL-CrI3) covered by graphene can be characterized electronically and magnetically via STM by exploiting the transparency of graphene to tunneling electrons. STS reveals electronic structures of FL-CrI3 including flat bands responsible for its magnetic state. AFM-to-FM transition of FL-CrI3 can be visualized through the magnetic field dependent moiré contrast in the dI/dV maps due to a change of the electronic hybridization between graphene and spin-polarised CrI3 bands with different interlayer magnetic coupling. Our findings provide a general route to probe atomic-scale electronic and magnetic properties of 2D magnetic insulators for future spintronics and quantum technology applications.

Atomic-scale surface science phenomena studied by scanning tunneling microscopy

2009 ◽  
Vol 603 (10-12) ◽  
pp. 1315-1327 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Besenbacher ◽  
J.V. Lauritsen ◽  
T.R. Linderoth ◽  
E. Lægsgaard ◽  
R.T. Vang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Surface Science ◽  
Atomic Scale ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Scale Surface
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