AFM tip characterization by Kelvin probe force microscopy

Reliable determination of the surface potential with spatial resolution is key for understanding complex interfaces that range from nanostructured surfaces to molecular systems to biological membranes. In this context, Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) has become the atomic force microscope (AFM) method of choice for mapping the local electrostatic surface potential as it changes laterally due to variations in the surface work function or surface charge distribution. For reliable KPFM measurements, the influence of the tip on the measured electrostatic surface potential has to be understood. We show here that the mean Kelvin voltage can be used for a straightforward characterization of the electrostatic signature of neutral, charged and polar tips, the starting point for quantitative measurements and for tip-charge control for AFM manipulation experiments. This is proven on thin MgO(001) islands supported on Ag(001) and is supported by theoretical modeling, which shows that single ions or dipoles at the tip apex dominate the mean Kelvin voltage.Peer reviewe

Using metallic noncontact atomic force microscope tips for imaging insulators and polar molecules: tip characterization and imaging mechanisms

We demonstrate that using metallic tips for noncontact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) imaging at relatively large (>0.5 nm) tip-surface separations provides a reliable method for studying molecules on insulating surfaces with chemical resolution and greatly reduces the complexity of interpreting experimental data. The experimental NC-AFM imaging and theoretical simulations were carried out for the NiO(001) surface as well as adsorbed CO and Co-Salen molecules using Cr-coated Si tips. The experimental results and density functional theory calculations confirm that metallic tips possess a permanent electric dipole moment with its positive end oriented toward the sample. By analyzing the experimental data, we could directly determine the dipole moment of the Cr-coated tip. A model representing the metallic tip as a point dipole is described and shown to produce NC-AFM images of individual CO molecules adsorbed onto NiO(001) in good quantitative agreement with experimental results. Finally, we discuss methods for characterizing the structure of metal-coated tips and the application of these tips to imaging dipoles of large adsorbed molecules. © 2014 American Chemical Society

Space Charge at Nanoscale: Probing Injection and Dynamic Phenomena Under Dark/Light Configurations by Using KPFM and C-AFM

International audienc

Softlanding and STM imaging of Ag (561) clusters on a C (60) monolayer

The low energy deposition of silver cluster cations with 561 (+/- 5) atoms on a cold fullerene covered gold surface has been studied both by scanning tunneling microscopy and molecular dynamics simulation. The special properties of the C-60/Au(111) surface result in a noticeable fixation of the clusters without a significant change of the cluster shape. Upon heating to room temperature we observe a flattening or shrinking of the cluster samples due to thermal activation. Similar changes were observed also for mass selected Ag clusters with other sizes. For comparison we also studied Ag islands of similar size, grown by low temperature deposition of Ag atoms and subsequent annealing. A completely different behavior is observed with much broader size distributions and a qualitatively different response to annealing

Activation of Ultrathin Oxide Films for Chemical Reaction by Interface Defects

Periodic density functional theory calculations revealed strong enhancement of chemical reactivity by defects located at the oxide-metal interface for water dissociation on ultrathin MgO films deposited on Ag(100) substrate. Accumulation of charge density at the oxide-metal interface due to irregular interface defects influences the chemical reactivity of MgO films by changing the charge distribution at the oxide surface. Our results reveal the importance of buried interface defects in controlling chemical reactions on an ultrathin oxide film supported by a metal substrate.close1