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。这种封顶能力使人们能够在科学教育的早期阶段，在原子概念的研究中，将其用作提供原子存在的直接证据的工具。然而，STM的商品化才刚刚开始，它们仍然是为研究目的而设计的，课堂上使用的价格高得令人抑制。本工作旨在建立一种简单、便携的STM，可用于讲授原子概念的课堂。本项目取得的成果如下：(1)STM中最昂贵的部件，即控制器和显像器，被一台普通的个人计算机取代，这台计算机在任何科学课堂上都可能出现。为此，研制了一种采用算法控制STM的数字控制电路，考察了其与现有研究级STM机械头的兼容性。(2)实验制作了简单坚固的便携式STM，并考察了其与上述数字控制电路的兼容性。(3)研制了一种操作方便、能提供稳定的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.