No Arabic abstract
In this activity, students will make a working model of an atomic force microscope (AFM). A permanent magnet attached to a compact disc (CD) strip acts as the sensor. The sensor is attached to a base made from Legos. Laser light is reflected from the CD sensor and onto a sheet of photosensitive paper. An array of permanent magnets attached to cardboard acts as the atoms on a surface. When the sensor is brought near this atomic surface the magnets will deflect the sensor, which in turn deflects the reflected laser. This deflection is recorded on the photosensitive paper, which students can take home with them.
An atomic force microscope is used to structure a film of multilayer graphene. The resistance of the sample was measured in-situ during nanomachining a narrow trench. We found a reversible behavior in the electrical resistance which we attribute to the movement of dislocations. After several attempts also permanent changes are observed. Two theoretical approaches are presented to approximate the measured resistance.
We use an atomic force microscope (AFM) to manipulate graphene films on a nanoscopic length scale. By means of local anodic oxidation with an AFM we are able to structure isolating trenches into single-layer and few-layer graphene flakes, opening the possibility of tabletop graphene based device fabrication. Trench sizes of less than 30 nm in width are attainable with this technique. Besides oxidation we also show the influence of mechanical peeling and scratching with an AFM of few layer graphene sheets placed on different substrates.
We present a fabrication method of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) based on direct write lithography with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). This technique involves maskless local anodization of Nb or NbN ultrathin films using the voltage biased tip of the AFM. The SQUIDs are of weak-link type, for which two geometries have been tested: Dayem and variable thickness nanobridges. The magnetic field dependence of the maximum supercurrent Ic(flux) in resulting SQUIDs is thoroughly measured for different weak link geometries and for both tested materials. It is found that the modulation shape and depth of Ic(flux) curves are greatly dependent on the weak link size. We analyze the results taking into account the kinetic inductance of nanobridges and using the Likharev-Yakobson model. Finally we show that the present resolution reached by this technique (20nm) enables us to fabricate Nb weak-links which behavior approaches those of ideal Josephson junctions.
We consider an oscillator model to describe qualitatively friction force for an atomic force mi-croscope (AFM) tip driven on a surface described by periodic potential. It is shown that average value of the friction force could be controlled by application of external time-dependent periodic perturbation. Numerical simulation demonstrates significant drop or increase of friction depending on amplitude and frequency of perturbation. Two different oscillating regimes are observed, they determined by frequency and amplitude of perturbation. The first one is regime of mode locking at frequencies multiple to driving frequency. It occurs close to resonance of harmonic perturbation and driving frequencies. Another regime of motion for a driven oscillator is characterized by aperiodic oscillations. It was observed in the numerical experiment for perturbations with large amplitudes and frequencies far from oscillator eigenfrequency. In this regime the oscillator does not follow external driving force, but rather oscillates at several modes which result from interaction of oscillator eigenmode and perturbation frequency.
We present the design and implementation of a scanning probe microscope, which combines electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) and (photo-)conductive atomic force microscopy ((p)cAFM). The integration of a 3-loop 2-gap X-band microwave resonator into an AFM allows the use of conductive AFM tips as a movable contact for EDMR experiments. The optical readout of the AFM cantilever is based on an infrared laser to avoid disturbances of current measurements by absorption of straylight of the detection laser. Using amorphous silicon thin film samples with varying defect densities, the capability to detect a spatial EDMR contrast is demonstrated. Resonant current changes as low as 20 fA can be detected, allowing the method to realize a spin sensitivity of 8*10^6 spins/Hz^0.5 at room temperature.