6533b830fe1ef96bd1297d2a
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Electronic and mechanical characterization of self-assembled alkanethiol monolayers by scanning tunneling microscopy combined with interaction-force-gradient sensing.
Lukas HäusslingO. ZügerUrs DürigBruno MichelHelmut Ringsdorfsubject
Protein filamentMaterials sciencelawMonolayerMoleculeNanotechnologyConductive atomic force microscopyScanning tunneling microscopeMolecular physicsQuantum tunnellingElectrochemical scanning tunneling microscopelaw.inventionCharacterization (materials science)description
We have used scanning tunneling microscopy to study self-assembled monolayers of mercaptohexadecanol in ultrigh vacuum. In addition to tunneling, the interaction force gradient acting between tip and sample was measured. Analysis of the force-gradient data shows that the tip is in mechanical contact with the surface of the monolayer which, in turn, is elastically compressed. The lateral dimensions of the mechanical contact are substantially (approximately five times) larger than the width of the tunneling-current filament. The results suggest that the compression of the monolayer constitutes an integral part of tunneling through the molecules
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-07-15 | Physical review. B, Condensed matter |