Trial manufacture of simple scanning tunneling microscope for teaching the concept of atom

扫描隧道显微镜（STM）是一种非常独特的显微镜，能够在大气条件下观察单个原子。这种能力使得人们可以在早期科学教育中原子概念的研究中，将其作为提供原子存在的直接证据的工具。然而，STM 的商业化才刚刚开始，它们仍然是为研究目的而设计的，在课堂上使用的价格非常高。目前的工作旨在构建一个简单、便携式的 STM，可在课堂上用于原子概念的教学。本项目获得的结果如下：(1) STM 最昂贵的部分，即控制器和可视化器，被任何科学课程中常见的普通个人计算机所取代。为此，开发了一种数字控制电路，用算法来控制STM。并检验了其与现有研究级STM机械头的兼容性。(2)实验制造了简单而坚固的便携式STM，并检验了其与上述数字控制电路的兼容性。(3)开发了一种可提供稳定的石墨原子图像、易于操作的便携式STM。

Scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is a highly unique microscope that is capable of observing individual atoms under atmospheric conditions. This cap ability allows one to use it as a tool for providing the direct evidence of the existence of atoms in the study of the concept of atoms in the early stage of science education. Nevertheless, commecialization of STM has just began, and they are still designed for research purposes with inhibitingly high price tag for the use in classes. The present work aimed at building a simple, portable STM that can be used in classes for the teaching of the concept of atoms.The results obtained during the present project are as follows.(1) The most expensive parts of STM, viz., controllers and visualizers, are replaced by a normal personal computer that may be faound in any science classes. For this purpose a digital controll circuit is developed, with algorism for the control of STM.Its compativility with the present research grade STM mechanical head was examined.(2) Simple and sturdy portable STM was experimentally manufactured, and its compatibility with the above digital controll circuit was examined.(3) Thus a portable STM that gives stable graphite atomic images with easy operation was developed.