Imaging molecular adsorbates using scanning tunneling microscopy and image processing

Jason L. P. Smith; Kenneth J. Pope; Joe G. Shapter

doi:10.1117/12.454607

19 November 2001 Imaging molecular adsorbates using scanning tunneling microscopy and image processing

Jason L. P. Smith, Kenneth J. Pope, Joe G. Shapter

Proceedings Volume 4590, BioMEMS and Smart Nanostructures; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.454607
Event: International Symposium on Microelectronics and MEMS, 2001, Adelaide, Australia

Abstract

This paper presents the use of scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and digital image processing for accurate atomic-scale imaging of molecules. The project has involved the development of image enhancement techniques and a calibration procedure for STMs. Graphite imaging has been successfully used as a reliable method for instrument calibration. This calibration is required due to the undesirable effects that are characteristic of STMs, which result in improper scaling and skewing of images. Image enhancement techniques have been created to reduce the noise effects due to thermal drift and tip hysteresis. These techniques were developed for graphite images, but have also been successfully applied to imaging of molecular adsorbates. Low tunnelling currents are used in STM experiments since any experiment uses a tunneling mechanism. This implies low signal-to-noise ratios, resulting in the need for reliable noise removal techniques. These techniques are a necessary step towards the extended use of STM in imaging molecular adsorbates.

Citation Download Citation

Jason L. P. Smith, Kenneth J. Pope, and Joe G. Shapter "Imaging molecular adsorbates using scanning tunneling microscopy and image processing", Proc. SPIE 4590, BioMEMS and Smart Nanostructures, (19 November 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.454607

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