Regensburg 2010 – scientific programme

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O: Fachverband Oberflächenphysik

O 60: Poster Session III (Methods: Atomic and electronic structure; Methods: electronic structure theory; Methods: Molecular simulations and statistical mechanics; Methods: Sanning probe techniques; Methods: other (experimental); Methods: other (theory) )

O 60.6: Poster

Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 17:45–20:30, Poster B2

Atomic-resolution AFM imaging of single molecules — •Fabian Mohn, Leo Gross, Nikolaj Moll, Peter Liljeroth, and Gerhard Meyer — IBM Research - Zurich, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland

We have recently developed a technique, which enables imaging of individual admolecules with atomic resolution using noncontact atomic force microscopy [L. Gross et al., Science 325, 1110 (2009)]. The key to achieving intramolecular contrast is a controlled functionalization of the microscope’s tip apex. We compare the imaging capabilities of different tip terminations and present measurements of the distance-dependence of the imaging contrast. These investigations – along with first-principle density functional theory calculations – indicate, that AFM operation in the regime of maximal attractive forces is crucial for achieving atomic contrast on molecules. Such close-distance operation is facilitated by using oscillation amplitudes in the sub-angstrom range.