Scanning tunneling microscopy observations of metallic clusters Pd sub 561 and Au sub 55 and the implications of their use as a well defined tip

Journal Article · · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. B, Microelectronics Processing and Phenomena; (United States)

OSTI ID:5286823

van de Leemput, L E.C.; Gerritsen, J W; Rongen, P H.H.; Smokers, R T.M.; Wierenga, H A; van Kempen, H ^[1]; Schmid, G ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Nijmegen (Netherlands)
2. Univ. Gh Essen (West Germany)

The authors investigated ligand stabilized clusters Au{sub 55}(PPh{sub 3}){sub 12}Cl{sub 6}and Pd{sub 561}(phen){sub 38{plus minus}2}O{sub {approx}200} on gold and graphite substrates with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) under atmospheric conditions. The authors were able to image dense layers of clusters as well as free-lying clusters. Clusters are frequently picked up by the tip. This results in a tip with a well defined shape and electronic structure. Analysis of images of clusters scanned with another cluster attached to the tip can yield direct information on the tunnel distance. The authors found a tunnel distance 24 {plus minus} 5 {angstrom}.

• OSTI ID: 5286823
• Journal Information: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. B, Microelectronics Processing and Phenomena; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. B, Microelectronics Processing and Phenomena; (United States) Vol. 9:2; ISSN 0734-211X; ISSN JVTBD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360102* -- Metals & Alloys-- Structure & Phase Studies
360104 -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
AIR
CARBON
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
GOLD
GRAPHITE
LIGANDS
MATHEMATICS
METALS
MICROSCOPY
MINERALS
MORPHOLOGY
NONMETALS
PALLADIUM
PLATINUM METALS
SOLID CLUSTERS
SUBSTRATES
TOPOLOGY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TUNNEL EFFECT