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STEM

The document discusses scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), which uses electron tunneling to magnify and record a 3D topographical image of a sample. STM works by maintaining a small air gap between a probe with a sharp tip and the sample. A bias voltage applied to the probe causes electrons to tunnel in the air gap, producing a tunneling current that is measured and amplified. The height of fluctuations in the current are recorded by a computer to map bumps on the sample and view it atom by atom or line by line at magnifications up to 10^-9 nanoscale. STM provides accurate topographical imaging but has some limitations and disadvantages including cost, potential damage to the tip or sample, and inability to show a

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14 views3 pages

STEM

The document discusses scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), which uses electron tunneling to magnify and record a 3D topographical image of a sample. STM works by maintaining a small air gap between a probe with a sharp tip and the sample. A bias voltage applied to the probe causes electrons to tunnel in the air gap, producing a tunneling current that is measured and amplified. The height of fluctuations in the current are recorded by a computer to map bumps on the sample and view it atom by atom or line by line at magnifications up to 10^-9 nanoscale. STM provides accurate topographical imaging but has some limitations and disadvantages including cost, potential damage to the tip or sample, and inability to show a

Uploaded by

stv27082005
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Physics

STM (SCANNING TUNNELLING MICROSCOPE)


Explanation

POINTS TO REMEMBER:
Binning and Roher invented scanning tunnelling microscope to
magnify the topographical image of the sample by using the
concept of electron tunnelling.

PRINCIPLE:
1. Basic principle used in STEM is the tunnelling of electron
between the sharp tip and the sample.
2. The magni ed 3-D topographical image of the sample is
recorded in the computer.

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CONSTRUCTION:
1. The STM consist of a probe with sharp tip.The tip of the probe
is connected to the computer scanner through 3-D position
positioning.
2. A small air gap is maintained between the tip and the sample.
3. The computer is used to record the part of the probe and the
topographical image of the sample.
4. Necessary circuit connection is done along with the ampli er to
measure the tunnelling current.

WORKING:
• The necessary biasing voltage is given to the probe.

• Due to the voltage electrons are tunnelling in the air gap. Hence,
produces a small current it is called as the tunnelling current.
• The tunnelling current as ows through the circuit when the tip is
in contact with the sample through air gap (d).

• When the current is produced it is measured by the ammeter


and it is ampli ed by the ampli er to amplify and improve the
magni cation of the image.
• The current increases or decreases depending on the distance
between the tip and the sample it is named as the air gap (d).
• When the air gap is constant the current is maintained as
constant.

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Height of uctuation is accurately recorded by the computer
through map of bumps in this way the tip is used to scan the
sample in atom by atom or line by line.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Magni cation is up to 10^-9 nano High cost and circuit complexity.


scale.

Very accurate measurement. The tip or sample gets damaged.

It is used to get nd topographical Due to uctuations the


image of the sample. measurements can be
misinterpreted.
It is used to analyse the material’s STEM does not provide the complete
surface in in all applications. picture of the sample and it will show
the precise position of electrons or
atoms only.

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