Geometric interpretations, microscopy

High resolution electron microscopy has recently demonstrated the capability to directly resolve the atomic structure of surfaces on small particles and thin films. In this paper we briefly review experimental observations for gold (110) and (111) surfacest and analyse how these results when combined with theoretical and experimental morphological studies, influence the interpretation of geometrical catalytic effects and the transfer of bulk surface experimental data to heterogeneous catalysts. 

The main feature of atomic force microscopy (AFM) is that it does not require the surface conductivity, because it measures the scanning probe and the interaction between the tip of AFM and the sample surface. The interaction includes electrostatic, van der Waals, friction, surface tension (capillary), and the magnetic forces, which overcomes the inadequacy of the STM. Unlike the STM, a force map can be obtained from the AFM probe. This map can be interpreted as a reflection of the surface structure and a geometric topology map of magnetic and electrostatic forces. 

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