Upgrade of a Scanning Probe Microscopy Facility

在化学研究仪器和设施（CRIF）计划的支持下，华盛顿州立大学化学系将升级扫描探针显微镜（SPM）。这一设备将加强若干领域的研究，包括：a）对Langmuir-Blodgett薄膜生长动力学的研究; B）对蛋白质表面上的力的评价; c）对通过精确施加应力在纳米尺度上控制的材料的增强沉积或溶解的研究;和d）在溶液和电化学环境中的扫描隧道显微镜（STM）和基于STM的轨道介导光谱（STM-OMTS）的测量。 溶液相STM将用于卟啉、酞菁和LB膜等分子电子材料的研究。扫描探针显微镜（SPM）使研究人员能够直接对原子进行成像。该技术使用压电效应，其中包括将一个非常尖锐的金属针带到样品表面的几埃范围内。该距离足够小，以使电子泄漏或穿过差距并产生微小电流。当针尖和样品之间的差距增大时，电流减小。当探针穿过样品，在其表面来回移动时，它会描绘出样品表面原子的等高线图。将使用该仪器进行的跨学科研究将对材料物理和化学以及生物物理化学产生影响。 研究生和本科生谁将使用他们的研究项目的设备将直接介绍纳米技术。

With support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Washington State University will upgrade a scanning probe microscope (SPM). This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including a) studies on the kinetics of growth of Langmuir-Blodgett films; b) evaluation of forces at protein surfaces; c) investigations on the enhanced deposition or dissolution of materials controlled on the nanoscale by precisely applied stress; and d) measurements of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and STM based orbital mediated spectroscopy (STM-OMTS) in the solution and electrochemical environment. Molecular electronic materials such as porphyrins, phthalocyanines and Langmuir-Blodgett films will be studied with solution phase STM. 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. The interdisciplinary studies that will be carried out using this instrument will have an impact in materials physicsand chemistry and in biophysical chemistry. The graduate and undergraduate students who will use the equipment for their research projects will be directly introduced to nanotechnology.