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)。该设备将加强多个领域的研究，包括a)研究Langmuir-Blodgett膜的生长动力学；b)评估蛋白质表面的作用力；c)研究通过精确施加应力控制纳米级材料的沉积或溶解；以及d)在溶液和电化学环境中测量扫描隧道显微镜(STM)和基于扫描隧道显微镜的轨道介导谱(STM-OMTs)。用溶液相扫描隧道显微镜研究分子电子材料，如卟啉、酞菁和朗缪尔-布洛杰特薄膜。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。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。将为他们的研究项目使用这些设备的研究生和本科生将被直接介绍给纳米技术。

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.