Continuing Improvement of Modern Physics Laboratory: Atomic Force/Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

我们正在引入扫描探针显微镜（SPM）到物理课程，以更新我们的现代物理能力。 我们采取三管齐下的方法：1）为新生提供台式实验，以便尽早介绍原子力和扫描隧道显微镜的关键方法和概念。 2)在改进的现代物理实验室中使用Park Instruments扫描探针显微镜进行“标准实验”。 这些实验将包括扫描光栅的标准化，高取向热解石墨（HOPG）的扫描，并扫描沉积在基板上的薄膜。 虽然这些被称为“标准实验”，但它们代表了现代物理学中一些最具创新性、最令人兴奋和最新的技术。 3)高级论文/与普渡大学和Armco研究合作。 在生物学，化学和物理专业将有这个SPM可用于项目。 Park Instruments SPM因其中等成本、模块化结构和基于Windows的软件而被选中。 在扫描，扫描探针显微镜的实际工作，和高级论文研究的关键概念的教学正在帮助我们的学生准备在研究生研究实验室和高科技产业的未来工作。 SPM是我们改进现代物理实验室的下一个合乎逻辑的步骤。 *

We are introducing scanning probe microscopy (SPM) into the physics curriculum in order to update our modern physics capabilities. We are taking a three-pronged approach: 1) Bench-Top Experiments for freshmen in order to introduce key methods and concepts of both atomic force and scanning tunneling microscopy at the earliest possible opportunity. 2) "Standard Experiments" using Park Instruments Scanning Probe Microscope in the improved modern physics laboratory. These experiments would include scans of gratings for standardization, scans of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), and scans of thin films deposited on a substrate. While these are called "standard experiments," they represent some of the most innovative, exciting, and newest techniques in modern physics. 3) Senior Thesis/Collaboration with Purdue University and Armco Research. Majors in Biology, Chemistry and Physics will have this SPM available for projects. The Park Instruments SPM was selected for acquisition because of its mid-range cost, modular construction and Windows-based software. Instruction in the key concepts of scanning, actual work with a scanning probe microscope, and senior thesis research are helping to prepare our students for future work in graduate research laboratories and high technology industries. The SPM is our next logical step for the improvement of our modern physics laboratory. *