Scanning tunneling microscopy atomic resolution images

The ability to control the position of a fine tip in order to scan surfaces with subatomic resolution has brought scanning probe microscopies to the forefront in surface imaging techniques. We discuss the two primary techniques, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) the interested reader is referred to comprehensive reviews [9, 17, 18]. 

M. Makri, C.G. Vayenas, S. Bebelis, K.H. Besocke, and C. Cavalca, Atomic Resolution Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Imaging of Pt Electrodes Intefaced with P"-A1203, Ionics 2, 248-253 (1996). 

The most recent innovation in this field is scanning tunnelling microscopy, which has the capability of atomic resolution. In the work reported here two surface reactions are examined using this technique. These reactions are of relevance to automobile catalysis (CO oxidation on Rh) and methanol oxidation/synthesis on Cu. It is proposed that active sites are imaged in these reactions and that these active sites can indeed be extremely dilute on the surface. 

I believe, it is fair to state that scanning tunneling microscopy and related techniques such as atomic force microscopy have a tremendeous potential in metal deposition studies. The inherent nature of the deposition process which is strongly influenced by the defect structure of the substrate, providing nucleation centers, requires imaging in real space for a detailed picture of the initial stages. This is possible with an STM, the atomic resolution being an extra bonus which helps to understand these processes on... 

Wintterlin, J., Wiechers, J., Brune, H., Giitsch, T., Hofer, H., and Behm, R. J. (1989). Atomic-resolution imaging of close-packed metal surfaces by scanning tunneling microscopy. Phys. Rev. Lett. 62, 59-62. 

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