Probe Microscopy: An Essential Tool In Nanoscience

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Technology )



Scanning probe microscopy is a broad term that describes a growing number of imaging techniques that use scanning probes to measure surface at very fine scales. With scanning probe microscopy, you can map the surfaces of solids with atomic resolution, and thus reveal not only the structure of perfect crystalline surfaces but also the distribution of point defects and other structural defects.

Scanning probe microscopy has become an indispensable tool in the emerging field of nanoscience, as with it you can perform local experiments with single atoms or molecules and manipulate them to form artificial structures on the atomic scale.

Your scanning probe microscope has a sharp metallic tip that scans over a surface at a distance of less than one nanometer. As the tip scans the surface, a connected computer system records and processes the tip's measurements. Advances in probe microscopy have given rise to several types of scanning probe microscopes. The specific mode of tip-sample interaction used, which controls the distance between the tip and the conducting surface, determines the type of scanning probe microscope.

Scanning probe microscopy is generally known for its imaging capabilities. The term topography in probe microscopy refers to a map of the constant density of states recorded between tip and surface, and this is different from geometric topography.

With scanning probe microscopy, you can also study the electronic structure of the surface, using spectroscopy modes. Essentially, this involves a study of the tip-sample voltage variations.

The third important use of scanning probe microscopy, beyond topographic imaging and local measurement of surface properties, is in the manipulation of surfaces. You can do this by pushing or pulling the atoms with the tip, or by transferring atoms to and from the tip. You often use a scanning tunneling microscope or a scanning force microscope for surface manipulation experiments.


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