Materials Characterization and Analysis Service—Molecular Imaging PicoSPM (STM, AFM)

Scanning Probe Microscopy such as STM and AFM is a high-resolution imaging technique that can resolve features as small as an atomic lattice in the real space. It allows researchers to observe and manipulate molecular and atomic level features.
STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscopy) was invented in 1981 by G. Binnig and H. Rohrer who shared the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physics for their invention. An excellent technique, STM is limited to imaging conductive materials.
AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy) has much broader potential and application because it can be used for imaging any conducting or non-conducting surface. AFM has a number of advantages over other techniques that make it a favorite among leading researchers. It provides easily achievable high resolution and three-dimensional information in real space with little sample preparation for low cost. In-situ observations, imaging in fluids are available.
MAC Mode AFM (Magnetic AC mode) is a gentle non-destructive AFM imaging technique, which uses a magnetic field to drive a magnetically coated cantilever, yielding precise control over oscillation amplitude and, thus, excellent force regulation. Only the tip is driven. This greatly increases the signal-to-noise ratio, providing tremendous improvement in fluid imaging. It is particularly useful in areas that demand high resolution and force sensitivity, such as biology, polymers and surface science.
Electrochemical SPM (EC SPM) option includes a PicoStat and a complete kit for high-resolution insitu EC SPM experiments. PicoStat offers electrochemists a low-noise potentiostat/galvanostat for insitu EC SPM studies - both EC-STM and EC-AFM.
Conducting AFM (CSAFM) allows users to measure electric current with a conductive cantilever while doing contact mode AFM. With different preamplifiers, currents from 0.3 pA to 100 nA can be detected. MI's CSAFM has been used to measure the conductivity of individual conductive molecules at molecular resolution.