10/06/2022 Scanning Tunneling Microscope 1

Scanning Tunnelling Microscope

Contents

 Definition of STM

 Components of STM

 Working principle of STM

 Advantages and disadvantages of STM

 Applications of STM

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 Scanning Tunnelling Microscope

 STM is an electron microscopic technique which works in

the principle of tunnelling effect .

 Tunnelling effect is quantum mechanical effect in which a

particle (e-) having energy less than energy barrier to crosses

the barrier.

 Used to characterize the surface morphology, properties and

behaviours of sub atomic particle.

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 Cont’d . . .

 It has small nano size tips close few A 0 to the sample.

 Has 1X108 magnification, 0.1nm resolution, imaging at atomic

level and provides 3D profiles of the surface.

 It is non optical device and has five components.

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 Components of STM

 Has five components

 Metal tip

 Piezeoelectronic scanner

 Current amplifier

 Bipotentiostat

 Feedback loop ( current)

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 Working principle of STM

It works in the quantum mechanics (e- tunnelling principle) interactions

of sub atomic level particles.

 Bias Voltage applied; the thin tip of microscope closed to the surface

of sample and e- scans.

 Electron potential difference between the sample and tip of metal is

measured.

 The small amount of current is generated by tunnelling effect of the

sample e-s.

 The magnitude of tunnelling effect depends on the difference between

the tip of microscope and surface of sample.

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 Cont’d …

 e- Scans the sample and transfer

of e-s from the tip (quantum

tunnelling) between the sample

and complete current flow

(tunnelling current)

 Due to spherical structure of atom

Bias voltage applied between the tip the difference between the tip and
of the metal and the sample. sample changes; the fluctuation

Metal tip was closed to sample creates images of specimen.

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Advantages and Disadvantages STM

Advantages Disadvantages

 Versatile: can be used UHV, air,  Very expensive

water, other gases and liquids.

 Gives 3D profile, able to  Requires skilled person

examine roughness, defects,

and molecular size.

 Requires very clean surface
 High lateral and depth and single atom tip.
resolution.

 High magnification.
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 Applications of STM

Acquires qualitative and quantitative data

 To characterize the property and behaviour of atomic particles.

 Study the morphology, dimension, roughness, surface defects and

molecular size.

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