SECM Instrument Implementation

The software for the model 900 SECM runs on the Windows operating system with a Pentium class machine. The software provides all the controls necessary for positioning the probe in three dimensions and setting parameters for electrochemical experiments. The software also supports a wide range of electrochemical experiments, graphical displays, data processing, 

5 An illustration showing translators and tip and cell mounts for the commercially available CH model 900 SECM. 

The CH Instrument appears to be a quite useful implementation of an SECM. The design lends it to use in feedback imaging and surface modification experiments. However, some modifications by the purchaser or the manufacturer can be considered. A desirable modification would be a con- 

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The shear force constant distance mode SECM was later mounted onto an inverted optical microscope, in a so-called Bio-SECM configuration, in order to study individual living cells. The Bio-SECM instrument was notably used to detect nitric oxide released from single cells [78]. In parallel, the shear force setup was modified by replacing the optical detection system, used to monitor the tip vibrating motion, by a piezoelectric element [79]. Electrical detection of the tip vibration was shown to be much easier and more convenient than optical detection, partly because the delicate laser alignment on the tip was made unnecessary. Further developments to shear force SECM have seen the implementation of high-resolution constant distance mode AC-SECM, which was used for the visualization of corrosion pits on stainless steel samples [80,81]. 

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