Journal Article

FZJ-2015-03348

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Mechanism of high-resolution STM/AFM imaging with functionalized tips

Hapala, P. (Corresponding Author) ; Kichin, G.FZJ* ; Wagner, C.FZJ* ; Tautz, F. S.FZJ* ; Temirov, R.FZJ* ; Jelínek, P.

2014
APS College Park, Md.

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/8729  doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.90.085421

Abstract: High-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) imaging with functionalized tips is well established, but a detailed understanding of the imaging mechanism is still missing. We present a numerical STM/AFM model, which takes into account the relaxation of the probe due to the tip-sample interaction. We demonstrate that the model is able to reproduce very well not only the experimental intra- and intermolecular contrasts, but also their evolution upon tip approach. At close distances, the simulations unveil a significant probe particle relaxation towards local minima of the interaction potential. This effect is responsible for the sharp submolecular resolution observed in AFM/STM experiments. In addition, we demonstrate that sharp apparent intermolecular bonds should not be interpreted as true hydrogen bonds, in the sense of representing areas of increased electron density. Instead, they represent the ridge between two minima of the potential energy landscape due to neighboring atoms.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Funktionale Nanostrukturen an Oberflächen (PGI-3)
2. JARA-FIT (JARA-FIT)

Research Program(s):

1. 422 - Spin-based and quantum information (POF2-422) (POF2-422)

Appears in the scientific report 2015

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Thomson Reuters Master Journal List ; Web of Science Core Collection

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