Jan. 21, 2011

Looking Inside Molecules

Molecular hydrogen (H2) or deuterium (D2) condensed in a low-temperature STM results in a new type of imaging resolution - scanning tunneling hydrogen microscopy (STHM). The microscope operated in the STHM regime images the inner structure of large organic flat lying molecules as well as intermolecular interactions in organic monolayer films.
moreDec. 13, 2010

Microscopic Imaging of Rosette Nanotubes

The characterization of self-assembled rosette nanotubes (RNTs), which are soft organic nanomaterials, can be challenging because of their small dimensions (diameter 3-8 nm) and their sensitivity to damage by microscopy techniques. Consequently, proper sample preparation and optimized microscopy conditions are necessary for successful characterization. In this paper, the critical factors that strongly affect the quality of the structural information obtained for RNTs are presented (fig. 1) moreFeb. 26, 2010

When Molecules Leave Tire Tracks

When "mother nature" does the engineering, molecules can self-organize into complex structures - a first step in the formation of membranes, cells and other molecular systems. Some classes of molecules are capable of arranging themselves in specific patterns on surfaces. This ability to self-organize is crucial for many technological applications, which are dependend on the assembly of ordered structures on surfaces. However, it has so far been virtually impossible to predict or control the result of such processes. Now a group of researchers led by Dr. moreNov. 06, 2009

2009 R&D 100 award for Solver Next

NT-MDT announced that the Solver Next has received the coveted R&D 100 award for the first commercial scanning probe microscope featuring both Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) in one. This prestigious annual award recognizes the top 100 new technologies from the past year, across a broad range of industries. moreNov. 01, 2007

UHV Fast-scanning & Variable Temperature STM for Large Scale Imaging

UHV Fast-scanning & Variable Temperature STM for Large Scale Imaging. B. Diaconescu and co-workers from the University of New Hampshire, USA describe the design and performance of a fast-scanning, variable temperature scanning tunneling microscope (STM) operating from 80 to 700 K in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV), which routinely achieves large scale atomically resolved imaging of compact metallic surfaces. The vertical resolution of the instrument was found to be about 2 pm at room temperature. The total scanning area is about 8 °- 8 μm2. moreJul. 01, 2007

Ultralow Temperature STM

Ultralow Temperature STM: H. Kambara and co-workers from the University of Tokyo, Japan, describe the details of the design, performance, and applications of a dilution-refrigerator (DR)-based ultralow temperature scanning tunneling microscope which works at temperatures down to 30 mK, in magnetic fields up to 6 T and in ultra-high vacuum (UHV). One can load STM tips as well as samples with clean surfaces prepared in an UHV environment to a STM head keeping low temperature and UHV conditions. After this, the system can be cooled back to near the base temperature within 3 h. moreJan. 01, 2007

Multiprobe STM & High-yield Conductive Carbon Nanotube Tips

Multiprobe STM & High-yield Conductive Carbon Nanotube Tips. H. Konishi from Osaka University, Japan, established a fabrication process for conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) tips for multiprobe scanning tunneling microscope (STM) with high yield. They attached a CNT at the apex of a supporting W tip by a dielectrophoresis method, reinforced the adhesion between the CNT and the W tip by electron beam deposition of hydrocarbon and heating, and finally by wholly coating it with a thin metal layer by pulsed laser deposition. moreNov. 01, 2005

Windsor Scientific: Nanosurf EasyScan2 series of scanning probe microscopes

Windsor Scientific: Nanosurf EasyScan2 series of scanning probe microscopes. Windsor Scientific has launched the Nanosurf EasyScan2 series of scanning probe microscopes. The portable and easy-to-use microscopes offers a unique, fully modular design giving a professional and affordable system tailored to meet individual requirements. moreMay. 31, 2005

Biological Applications of Scanning Probe Microscopy

Biological Applications of Scanning Probe Microscopy. Scanning probe microscopes (SPMs) have now become established as the foremost tools in the imaging of surfaces and surface–confined structures at up to angstrom resolution. Whilst spectroscopic methods such as Raman, ellipsometry and surface plasmon resonance continue to provide useful information on interfaces, they remain tools of restricted spatial resolution and are accordingly limited to measurements of bulk averages. more