Importance of sharp tip for STM imaging

Microscopic Characterization
Category General
Difficulty Level Normal
Audience Level General
Description Microscopic characterization methods refer to scientific techniques Which allow determination of both composition and structure of a material. Optical microscopy, scanning probe microscopy and electron microscopy are known as microscopic techniques. This course illustrates how microscopic characterization techniques are used.
Overview
Microscopic methods play an essential role in nanomaterials characterization. Microscopic and X-ray based characterization of nanomaterials techniques are used for the determination of surface morphology and dispersion characteristics of nanomaterials. This course deals with details of these aspects, and will provide a fundamental understanding of morphological tools, such as instrumentation, sample preparation and different kinds of analyses, etc.


Booklet
Description
 The analysis of a surface and its local properties are performed by scanning probe microscopes, using specially prepared tips like a needle. Sample preparation for STM imaging depends on the conductivity of materials.
Mental Challenge
 What types of tip are usually used for tunneling microscope? 
Quizzes and Activities
 Activity: Explain the importance of STM tips preparation. 
Further Reading Sources
 1. https://teachers.stanford.edu/activities/SPMReference/SPMReference.pdf 

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