Acquisition of a Scanning Probe Microscope for Atomic Level Investigations of Chemical Systems

在主要研究仪器(MRI)计划的支持下，玛丽·华盛顿学院化学系将获得一台扫描探针显微镜(SPM)。该设备将加强一些领域的研究，包括a)物理吸附自组装(结构和竞争沉积)中分子间相互作用的研究；b)原位膜结构研究；以及c)药物-DNA相互作用的原位可视化。扫描探针显微镜(SPM)使研究人员能够直接对原子成像。这项技术利用了压电效应，将一根非常锋利的金属针带入样品表面几埃的范围内。距离足够小，电子可以泄漏或通过隧道穿过缝隙，产生微小的电流。随着针尖和样品之间的间隙增加，电流减小。当探测器穿过样品，在样品表面来回移动时，它会绘制出样品表面原子的等高线图。这些研究将对材料和药物化学产生影响。

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Mary Washington College will acquire a scanning probe microscope (SPM). This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including a) the study of intermolecular interactions in physisorbed self-assemblies (structures and competitive depositions); b) in situ membrane construction studies; and c) in situ visualization of drug-DNA interactions. The scanning probe microscope (SPM) enables researchers to image atoms directly. The technique uses the piezoelectric effect which involves bringing an extremely sharp metal needle within a few angstroms of the sample surface. The distance is small enough for electrons to leak or tunnel across the gap and generate a minute current. As the gap between the tip and the sample increases, the current decreases. As the probe crosses the sample, moving back and forth across its surface, it traces out a contour map of the sample's surface atoms. These studies will have impact in materials and medicinal chemistry.