Atomic force microscopy of deoxyribonucleic acid strands adsorbed on mica: The effect of humidity on apparent width and image contrast

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, A (Vacuum, Surfaces and Films); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.577700· OSTI ID:7039227

Thundat, T; Warmack, R J; Allison, D P; Bottomley, L A; Lourenco, A J; Ferrell, T L ^[1]

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1. Health and Safety Research Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6123 (United States)

We have investigated the effect of relative humidity on the apparent width and contrast of isolated strands of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) imaged with atomic force microscopy (AFM). Due to convolution of the tip with DNA, the apparent width of DNA molecules observed with AFM was broader than the known width of DNA. Also, the apparent width of DNA increased with increasing humidity while the contrast of the DNA images decreased with increasing humidity. This phenomenon is completely reversible and can be attributed to non-normal forces causing a buckling of AFM cantilever.

• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 7039227
• Journal Information: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, A (Vacuum, Surfaces and Films); (United States), Vol. 10:4; ISSN 0734-2101
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
DNA
MICROSCOPY
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
MICA
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
CALIBRATION
HUMIDITY
ORNL
MINERALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SILICATE MINERALS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
360606* - Other Materials- Physical Properties- (1992-)
400201 - Chemical & Physicochemical Properties