Upgrade of a Scanning Probe Microscopy Facility

在化学研究仪器和设施（CRIF）项目的支持下，华盛顿州立大学化学系将升级扫描探针显微镜（SPM）。该设备将加强许多领域的研究，包括a) Langmuir-Blodgett薄膜生长动力学的研究；B)蛋白质表面受力的评估；C)通过精确施加应力在纳米尺度上控制材料的增强沉积或溶解的研究；d)扫描隧道显微镜（STM）和基于STM的轨道介导光谱（STM- omts）在溶液和电化学环境中的测量。分子电子材料，如卟啉，酞菁和Langmuir-Blodgett薄膜将研究与液相STM。扫描探针显微镜（SPM）使研究人员能够直接对原子成像。该技术利用压电效应，将一根非常锋利的金属针插入到距离样品表面几埃的地方。这个距离足够小，电子可以漏出或穿过间隙，产生微小的电流。随着尖端与样品之间的间隙增大，电流减小。当探针穿过样品，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。使用该仪器进行的跨学科研究将对材料物理化学和生物物理化学产生影响。将使用该设备进行研究项目的研究生和本科生将直接接触纳米技术。

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.