We demonstrate that scanning tunneling microscope tip-surface crash events can be utilized as an efficient means for the creation of predefined island configurations for diffusion studies. Using this method, islands of varying size can be created and placed in close proximity, increasing the probability of initiating and observing coalescence events. Data obtained from crash initiated events on a Ag(111) surface are presented. Relaxation time exponents extracted from these data confirm that our method gives results consistent with previous, sputter-obtained island coalescence studies. We also describe an instrument-control routine developed for these measurements that utilizes commercial imaging and off-the-shelf automation software to automate the tracking of islands or other features by the microscope.
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January 2008
Research Article|
January 04 2008
Vacancy island creation and coalescence using automated scanning tunneling microscopy
R. E. Lake;
R. E. Lake
Department of Physics and Astronomy,
Clemson University
, Clemson
, South Carolina
29634, USA
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A. Dean;
A. Dean
Department of Physics and Astronomy,
Clemson University
, Clemson
, South Carolina
29634, USA
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N. Maheswaranathan;
N. Maheswaranathan
Department of Physics and Astronomy,
Clemson University
, Clemson
, South Carolina
29634, USA
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A. P. Lange;
A. P. Lange
Department of Physics and Astronomy,
Clemson University
, Clemson
, South Carolina
29634, USA
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M. P. Ray;
M. P. Ray
Department of Physics and Astronomy,
Clemson University
, Clemson
, South Carolina
29634, USA
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C. E. Sosolik
C. E. Sosolik
a)
Department of Physics and Astronomy,
Clemson University
, Clemson
, South Carolina
29634, USA
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a)
Electronic mail: sosolik@clemson.edu.
Rev. Sci. Instrum. 79, 013703 (2008)
Article history
Received:
August 30 2007
Accepted:
November 05 2007
Citation
R. E. Lake, A. Dean, N. Maheswaranathan, A. P. Lange, M. P. Ray, C. E. Sosolik; Vacancy island creation and coalescence using automated scanning tunneling microscopy. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 1 January 2008; 79 (1): 013703. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2818777
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