Design of a Scanning Tunneling Microscope for Electrochemical Applications

摘要

We present a design for a scanning tunneling microscope that is well suited for electrochemical investigations. The construction of the microscope insures that only the tunneling tip and the sample participate in electrochemical reactions. The design also allows rapid replacement of the tip or sample, and enables facile introduction of auxiliary electrodes for use in electrochemical experiments. The microscope utilizes stepped motor driven approach mechanics in order to achieve fully remote operation and to allow reproducible coarse control of tip/sample spacings fpr electrochemical experiments. This microscope has enabled us to image highly ordered pyrolytic graphite at atomic resolution in air and aqueous solutions. Design, Electrochemistry. (mjm)