Radio-frequency scanning tunnelling microscopy

The scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) relies on localized electron tunnelling between a sharp probe tip and a conducting sample to attain atomic-scale spatial resolution. In the 25-year period since its invention, the STM has helped uncover a wealth of phenomena in diverse physical systems--ranging from semiconductors to superconductors to atomic and molecular nanosystems. A severe limitation in scanning tunnelling microscopy is the low temporal resolution, originating from the diminished high-frequency response of the tunnel current readout circuitry. Here we overcome this limitation by measuring the reflection from a resonant inductor-capacitor circuit in which the tunnel junction is embedded, and demonstrate electronic bandwidths as high as 10 MHz. This approximately 100-fold bandwidth improvement on the state of the art translates into fast surface topography as well as delicate measurements in mesoscopic electronics and mechanics. Broadband noise measurements across the tunnel junction using this radio-frequency STM have allowed us to perform thermometry at the nanometre scale. Furthermore, we have detected high-frequency mechanical motion with a sensitivity approaching approximately 15 fm Hz(-1/2). This sensitivity is on par with the highest available from nanoscale optical and electrical displacement detection techniques, and the radio-frequency STM is expected to be capable of quantum-limited position measurements.     

Thermal radiation scanning tunnelling microscopy

In standard near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM), a subwavelength probe acts as an optical 'stethoscope' to map the near field produced at the sample surface by external illumination. This technique has been applied using visible, infrared, terahertz and gigahertz radiation to illuminate the sample, providing a resolution well beyond the diffraction limit. NSOM is well suited to study surface waves such as surface plasmons or surface-phonon polaritons. Using an aperture NSOM with visible laser illumination, a near-field interference pattern around a corral structure has been observed, whose features were similar to the scanning tunnelling microscope image of the electronic waves in a quantum corral. Here we describe an infrared NSOM that operates without any external illumination: it is a near-field analogue of a night-vision camera, making use of the thermal infrared evanescent fields emitted by the surface, and behaves as an optical scanning tunnelling microscope. We therefore term this instrument a 'thermal radiation scanning tunnelling microscope' (TRSTM). We show the first TRSTM images of thermally excited surface plasmons, and demonstrate spatial coherence effects in near-field thermal emission.     

Images of single-stranded nucleic acids by scanning tunnelling microscopy

The scanning tunnelling microscope has the potential to resolve the structure of biological molecules with atomic detail. Progress has been made in the imaging of dried, unshadowed double helices of DNA4-7 and in recording images of DNA under water. Also, images of unshadowed complexes of DNA with the RecA protein from Escherichia coli indicate that this technique may not be restricted to thin biological samples. Here we present images of polydeoxyadenylate molecules aligned in parallel, with their bases lying flat on a surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and with their charged phosphodiester backbones protruding upwards. Based on these images, a molecular model has been built which suggests the presence of a hydrogen bond that could stabilize the parallel alignment. Our micrographs demonstrate the potential application of scanning tunnelling microscopy in structural studies of nucleic acids and provide evidence that it could be used to sequence DNA.     

Atomic-scale imaging of DNA using scanning tunnelling microscopy

The scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) has been used to visualize DNA under water, under oil and in air. Images of single-stranded DNA have shown that submolecular resolution is possible. Here we describe atomic-resolution imaging of duplex DNA. Topographic STM images of uncoated duplex DNA on a graphite substrate obtained in ultra-high vacuum are presented that show double-helical structure, base pairs, and atomic-scale substructure. Experimental STM profiles show excellent correlation with atomic contours of the van der Waals surface of A-form DNA derived from X-ray crystallography. A comparison of variations in the barrier to quantum mechanical tunnelling (barrier-height) with atomic-scale topography shows correlation over the phosphate-sugar backbone but anticorrelation over the base pairs. This relationship may be due to the different chemical characteristics of parts of the molecule. Further investigation of this phenomenon should lead to a better understanding of the physics of imaging adsorbates with the STM and may prove useful in sequencing DNA. The improved resolution compared with previously published STM images of DNA may be attributable to ultra-high vacuum, high data-pixel density, slow scan rate, a fortuitously clean and sharp tip and/or a relatively dilute and extremely clean sample solution. This work demonstrates the potential of the STM for characterization of large biomolecular structures, but additional development will be required to make such high resolution imaging of DNA and other large molecules routine.     

Scanning tunnelling microscopy of Z-DNA

Scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) has been used to map the surface topography of inorganic materials at the atomic level, and is potentially one of the most powerful techniques for probing biomolecular structure. Recent STM studies of calf thymus DNA and poly(rA).poly(rU) have shown that the helical pitch and periodic alternation of major and minor grooves can be visualized and reliably measured. Here we present the first STM images of poly(dG-me5dC).poly(dG-me5dC) in the Z-form. Both the general appearance of the fibres and measurements of helical parameters are in good agreement with models derived from X-ray diffraction.     

Abrupt changes in flagellar rotation observed by laser dark-field microscopy

Bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium swim by rotating their flagella, each of which consists of an external helical filament and a rotary motor embedded in the cell surface. The function of the flagellar motor has been examined mainly by tethering the flagellar filament to a glass slide and observing the resultant rotation of the cell body. But under these conditions the motor operates at a very low speed (about 10 r.p.s.) owing to the unnaturally high load conditions inherent in this technique. Lowe et al. analysed the frequency of light scattered from swimming cells to estimate the average rotation speed of flagellar bundles of E. coli as about 270 r.p.s. To analyse motor function in more detail, however, measurement of high-speed rotation of a single flagellum (at low load) with a temporal resolution better than 1 ms is needed. We have now developed a new method--laser dark-field microscopy--which fulfils these requirements. We find that although the average rotation speed of S. typhimurium flagella is rather stable, there are occasional abrupt slowdowns, pauses and reversals (accomplished within 1 ms). These changes were frequently observed in mutants defective in one of the motor components (called the switch complex), suggesting that this component is important not only in switching rotational direction but also in torque generation or regulation.     

Three-dimensional chromatin distribution in neuroblastoma nuclei shown by confocal scanning laser microscopy

The relationship between cell shape and function has long been of interest. However, although the behaviour of the cytoskeleton during the cell cycle has been studied extensively variations in the shape and three-dimensional substructure of the nucleus are less well documented. The spatial distribution of chromatin has previously been studied by a mathematical analysis of the optical densities of stained nuclei, allowing an indirect derivation of the three-dimensional distribution of chromatin. More direct information on chromatin organization can be obtained from electron-microscopic serial sections, although this is very laborious. Using an iterative deconvolution algorithm, Agard and Sedat achieved a degree of optical sectioning in conventional fluorescence microscopy and reconstructed the three-dimensional arrangement of polytene chromosomes. We report here on the three-dimensional structure of cultured mammalian cells as visualized by confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). The exceptionally short depth of field of this imaging technique provides direct optical sectioning which, together with its higher resolution, makes CSLM extremely useful for studying the three-dimensional morphology of biological structures.     

杨小舟蛾触角感觉器的电镜扫描观察

利用扫描电镜对杨小舟蛾(Micromelalopha troglodyta(Graeser))成虫触角感觉器的形态、分布进行了观察。结果表明:杨小舟蛾触角上存在11种感觉器,分别为毛形感器、刺形感器、腔锥形感器、腔形感器、柱形感器、栓锥感器、耳形感器、叉形感器、芽形感器、Bǒhm氏鬃毛和鳞形感器。其中,毛形感器有4种类型,栓锥感器、Bǒhm氏鬃毛各有3种类型,腔锥形感器、叉形感器、鳞形感器各有2种类型,其余各有1种类型。绝大部分触角感觉器位于触角的腹面和侧面。雌、雄蛾触角上的感器种类大体相同,但也存在差异。雌蛾触角上没有叉形感器及腔锥形感器的第2种类型,雄蛾触角上没有发现芽形感器以及Bǒhm氏鬃毛的第1种和第2种类型。另外,毛形感器的长度、数量在两性之间也存在差异。     

扫描探针显微镜漂移的定量测量方法

对扫描探针显微镜(SPM)仪器漂移的定量测量的几种方法进行探讨,提出应用二维零位标记进行漂移测量.分析比较使用普通样品、周期二维光栅、二维零位标记和原子光栅在测定仪器漂移中的优缺点.结果表明:应用二维零位标记的测量技术对探针与样品形貌耦合引起的图像误差不敏感,漂移测量范围不受光栅单元尺寸影响.该方法优于采用普通样品和规则周期的二维光栅样品的方法,而应用原子光栅可以预计达到亚原子量级的超高精度的SPM漂移测量.     

激光扫描共聚焦显微镜实验技术与应用

介绍了激光扫描共聚焦显微镜的工作原理、常规样品制备要求,以及图像获取的基本方法,包括光路设置及光强度调节、针孔的调节、增益值的调节、透射光路及DIC设置等.在此基础上,进一步介绍了共聚焦在生物学研究领域上的应用技巧,如多通道荧光采集、多层扫描及三维构建、荧光共定位及强度分析、时间序列扫描及光漂白技术,为快速掌握共聚焦的操作技巧提供有力的技术参考.     

Investigation of electron transfer across the ice/liquid interface by scanning electro- chemical microscopy

Charge transfer across a liquid/liquid (L/L) interface is not only related to chemical sensors, drug delivery and phase transfer catalysis, but also significant for mimicking biological membranes[1—3]. The thermodynamics, kinetics and mechanism regarding of this type of heterogeneous transfer process have been intensively investigated in the past three decades. An external potential is usually applied to polarizing the interface in the case of conventional electrochemistry at L/L interfaces.…     

STM用于超精机械加工表面微观形貌检测与分析的研究

通过自行研制扫描隧道显微镜(Scanning Tunneling Microscope,以下简称STM)检测了超精机械加工试件表面微观形貌,生成三维立体形貌图,对微观形貌图进行分析,了解相关的加工机理及微观表面形貌缺陷发生的原因,为提高超精加工表面质量及优化加工工艺过程提供了一些参考依据。     

扫描探针显微术的应用（综述）

扫描探针显微镜（SPM）是扫描隧道显微镜（STM）,原子力显微镜（AFM）,近场光学显微镜（SNOM）等近几年发展起来的新型显微镜的总称,SPM的发展使得在纳米尺度上研究物质的特性和相互作用成为可能,它为生物,医学等传统学科提供了一个崭新的研究工具。     

光子扫描隧道显微镜探测场的理论研究

对光子扫描隧道显微镜探测场进行了理论研究,由于在实际探测时支承样品的玻璃与样品间的折射率是不同的,计入支承样品玻璃影响,得出了比较符合实际的探测场理论计算公式。     

Nanoscale structural and electronic evolution for increased efficiency in polymer solar cells monitored by electric scanning probe microscopy

Control of blend morphology at multi-scale is critical for optimizing the power conversion efficiency （PCE） of plastic solar cells. To better understand the physics of photoactive layer in the organic photovoltaic devices, it is necessary to gain understanding of morphol- ogy and the corresponding electronic property. Herein we report the correlation between nanoscale structural, electric properties of bulk heterojunction （BHJ） solar cells and the annealing-induced PCE change. We demonstrate that the PCE of BHJ solar cells are dramatically improved （from 1.3 % to 4.6 %） by thermal annealing, which results from P3HT crystalline stacking and the PCBM aggregation for interpenetrated network. The similar trend for annealing- induced photovoltage and PCE evolution present as an initial increase followed by a decrease with the annealing time and temperature. The surface roughness increase slowly and then abruptly after the same inflection points observed for photovoltage and PCE. The phase images in electric force microscopy indicate the optimized P3HT and PCBM crystallization for interpenetrating network formation considering the spectroscopic results as well. From the correlation between surface photovoltage, blend morphology, and PCE, we propose a model to illustrate the film structure and its evolution under different annealing conditions. This work would benefit the better design and optimization of the morphology and local electric proper- ties of solar cell active layers for improved PCE.     

关于提高高校扫描电子显微镜使用效率的探索

扫描电子显微镜(SEM)在现代科学技术发展中扮演着重要的角色.多年的SEM管理实践表明,高校仪器管理者要从日常维护、样品制备技术、人员培训、预约和监督机制等方面着手,才能使SEM运行寿命更长、功能更强、效率更高.     

周期性样品PSTM消假像数值模拟

以微扰方法为基础,利用双光束照射周期性样品消除由形貌引起的假像。给出了０－方位和π－方位照射下ｓ－极化和ｐ－极化在玻璃光栅上等强度和等高度扫描模式下的近场强度图像。通过比较得到了较好的结果,并讨论了各种参数如极化和针尖与样品之间的距离对光子扫描隧道显微镜图像的影响。此研究有利于显示真实的样品形貌。     

多孔陶粒固定化微生物效果及扫描电镜观察

采用0.2 mol/L和1.0 mol/L的HCl以及0.2 mol/L和1.0 mol/L的NaOH、铁盐和铝盐,分别对陶粒进行改性,将未处理陶粒和改性陶粒分别在30℃、60 r/min条件下吸附恶臭假单胞菌,通过测定不同时间上清液OD600值来比较它们的吸附效果,并用扫描电镜对吸附效果进行观察.结果表明:低浓度酸处...     

手征性物体中电偶极场的手征性排布

对手征性石英和螺旋铜丝的结构进行了分析研究.漆包铜丝本身由于铜和漆皮的接触起电效应,存在固有的电偶极场.当铜丝弯成手征性的螺旋结构时,其固有的场也转变成手征性排列,类似螺苯中C-H键的电偶极场分布.手性石英晶体中的SiO4四面体结构单元表现出扭转的手性结构,并且Si-O键有二种不同长度,结构参数的差值已超出误差范围.一块手性石英晶体相当于由无数的均匀手性的SiO4结构单元组成.SiO4结构单元的构像手性以及手征性偶极场排布也被揭示出来.研究说明,不仅手性分子中存在手征性的场分布,石英晶体和螺旋铜丝也存在固有的手征性偶极场分布.手征性偶极场的存在能够解释光学活性的起源问题.