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。在科学教育的早期阶段，在原子概念的研究中，这种能力可以作为一种工具，提供原子存在的直接证据。然而，STM的商业化才刚刚开始，它们仍然是为了研究目的而设计的，在课堂上使用的价格过高。目前的工作旨在建立一个简单，便携的STM，可以在课堂上用于原子概念的教学。在本项目中获得的结果如下：(1) STM中最昂贵的部分，即控制器和可视化器，被一台普通的个人电脑所取代，这种电脑可以在任何科学课程中找到。为此，设计了一种数字控制电路，并采用算法对STM进行控制。并对其与现有研究级STM机械头的相容性进行了检验。(2)实验制作了简单耐用的便携式STM，并对其与上述数字控制电路的兼容性进行了检验。(3)由此研制出一种易于操作、可获得稳定石墨原子图像的便携式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.