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

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 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 Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 283354
• Journal Information: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. B, Microelectronics Processing and Phenomena, Vol. 14, Issue 2; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1996
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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