Imaging and manipulation of nanometer-size liquid droplets by scanning polarization force microscopy

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. B, Microelectronics Processing and Phenomena

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.589093· OSTI ID:283354

Hu, J; Carpick, R W; Salmeron, M ^[1]; Xiao, X ^[2]

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1. Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)
2. Department of Physics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Hong Kong)

Using atomic force microscopy in noncontact mode, we have imaged nanometer-size liquid droplets of KOH water solutions on the surfaces of highly oriented pyrolitic graphite and mica. On graphite the droplets prefer to be adsorbed on atomic step edges. Droplets on the same step tend to be evenly spaced and of similar size. The droplets can be manipulated by the atomic force microscopy tip allowing the controllable formation of droplet patterns on the surface. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Vacuum Society}

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 283354
• Journal Information: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. B, Microelectronics Processing and Phenomena, Journal Name: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. B, Microelectronics Processing and Phenomena Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 14; ISSN JVTBD9; ISSN 0734-211X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ADSORPTION
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
DROPLETS
GRAPHITE
IMAGES
MICA
MICROSCOPY
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDES
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
WETTING