SCANNING TUNNELING MICROSCOPY

BY
D.JAYASURYA
WHAT IS STM

 STM is a microscope which is used for imaging a

surfaces at the atomic level.
 For an STM good resolution is considered to be 0.1nm
lateral resolution and 0.01nm depth resolution
 The STM can be used not only in vacuum but also in
air,water and various other liquids.
 The temperature can be from 0K to 1000c.
PRINCIPLE

 The principle of STM is in quantum mechanics which is

different from classical mechanics.
 While classical mechanics deals upto macroscopic
level, quantum mechanics deals with microscopic level.
 Quantum mechanics explains the wave and particle
like behaviour of tiny particles like photons and
electrons.
 In STM the electron is used as a source in which the
electron act as a wave like nature(i.e) it get hit to the
target and not reflected where as in SEM and TEM the
TUNNELING EFFECT

 According to quantum tunneling theory when the

energy of an electron exceeds its total energy it can be
penetrate regions which are impossible according to
classical physics. So it can tunnel.
 TUNNELING:
It is a phenomenon where a particle tunnels through a
barrier (i.e) clasically could not surmount.
MODES

 The two modes are used in Scanning tunneling

microscopy for analysis of surface of a material.
 They are
1. Constant current method
2. Constant height method
CONT

 In constant height mode the tip scan is a horizontal

plane above the sample and the tunneling various
depending on topography and the local surface
electronic properties of the sample.
 In constant current mode by adjusting the height of the
type, the xurrent is held constant by the feedback
circuit which keeps the current constant and is moved
on the type surface. During this time, changes are
recorded in the height of the image is created
INSTRUMENTATION

 Basic components
1. Metal tip
2. Piezoelectric scanner
3. Distance control and scanning unit
4. Data processing unit
CONT

1. METAL TIP
STM tip is usually made up of tungsten metal ot a
platinum irridium alloy where the very end of the tip is
called as apex.
Scanning tip is most important aspect of the STM as
tunneling current is carried by that particular atom.
PIEZOELECTRIC SCANNER

 The scan tip is attched to piezoelectric tube scanner.

Piezoelectric effect is phenomenon under which the
material changes its length accordingly when put under
an electrical voltage.
 By adjusting the voltage on the piezo electric element
the distance between the tip and the surface can be
regulated
CONT

3.Distance control and scanning unit: The position control

using piezoelectric means is extremely fine, so a coarse
control is needed to position the tip close enough to the
sample before the piezoelectric control can take over.
4.Data processing unit: The computer records the
tunneling current and controls the voltage to the
piezoelectric tubes to produce a three dimensional map
of the sample surface.
REFERENCES

 Scanning tunneling microscope in slide share by

JISHANG TAILOR
 Scanning tunneling microscopy in slide share by HILAL
AYBIKE CAN
 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&
url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scanning_tunneling_
microscope&ved=2ahUKEwjqw7bY0ZLnAhVyyzgGHSHiB
aoQFjAAegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw04-
5uiWd1QWoGN1nwF_06T
 STM by AZHAR ANSARI