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Title: Single-step electrochemical method for producing very sharp Au scanning tunneling microscopy tips

Journal Article · · Review of Scientific Instruments
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2804132· OSTI ID:21024588
;  [1]
  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455 (United States)

A single-step electrochemical method for making sharp gold scanning tunneling microscopy tips is described. 3.0M NaCl in 1% perchloric acid is compared to several previously reported etchants. The addition of perchloric acid to sodium chloride solutions drastically shortens etching times and is shown by transmission electron microscopy to produce very sharp tips with a mean radius of curvature of 15 nm.

OSTI ID:
21024588
Journal Information:
Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 78, Issue 11; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2804132; (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0034-6748
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English