IMPROVED FABRICATION METHOD FOR CARBON NANOTUBE PROBE OF ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY(AFM)

An improved arc discharge method is developed to fabricate carbon nanotube probe of atomic force microscopy （AFM） here. First, silicon probe and carbon nanotube are manipulated under an optical microscope by two high precision microtranslators. When silicon probe and carbon nanotube are very close, several tens voltage is applied between them. And carbon nanotube is divided and attached to the end of silicon probe, which mainly due to the arc welding function. Comparing with the arc discharge method before, the new method here needs no coat silicon probe with metal film in advance, which can greatly reduce the fabrication＇s difficulty. The fabricated carbon nanotube probe shows good property of higher aspect ratio and can more accurately reflect the true topography of silicon grating than silicon probe. Under the same image drive force, carbon nanotube probe had less indentation depth on soft triblock copolymer sample than silicon probe. This showed that carbon nanotube probe has lower spring constant and less damage to the scan sample than silicon probe.

Visualization of chromatin folding patterns in chicken erythrocytes by atomic force microscopy (AFM)

The organization of the higher order structure of chromatin in chicken erythrocytes has been examined withtapping-mode scanning force microscopy under conditionsclose to their native environment. Reproducible highresolution AFM images of chromatin compaction at several levels can be demonstrated. An extended beads-on-astring (width of ～ 15-20nm, height of ～ 2-3nm for eachindividual nucleosome) can be consistently observed. Furthermore, superbeads (width of ～ 40nm, height of ～ 7nm)are demonstrated. Visualization of the solenoid conformation at the level of 30nm chromatin fiber is attained eitherby using AFM or by using electron microscopy. In addition, tightly coiled chromatin fibers (～ 50-60nm and ～90-110nm) can be revealed. Our data suggest that the chromatin in the interphase nucleus of chicken erythrocyte represents a high-order conformation and AFM provides useful high-resolution structural information concerning thefolding pattern of interphase chromatin fibers.

AN ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY STUDY ON THE AGGREGATION OF ISOTACTIC POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)

Aggregation process of isotactic poly（methyl methacrylate） （i-PMMA） has been studied extensively for many years, and considerable progress has been made in both experimental and theoretical studies. They are, however, seldom sustained by real-space observations of the underlying morphology. In this paper, the aggregation process of i-PMMA in concentrated acetone solutions and the fractal structure of the resulting three-dimensional clusters were characterized on the basis of real-space AFM observations of their two-dimensional projection. It was found that spherical multiple-chain particles formed upon collapse and aggregation of the involving chains as a whole during quenching the solution to room temperature. By keeping the solution at room temperature, the initially formed particles stick together upon contact to form larger particles through reassembling very slowly. The succeeding collision of the enlarged spherical particles leads to the formation of small clusters. These newly formed small clusters grow when they meet with other clusters or single Brownian particles. This leads to the formation of large clusters with fractal dimension of 1.95 ± 0.05, which suggest a reaction-limited cluster aggregation of i-PMMA in a concentrated acetone solution. This is in accordance with the conclusion obtained by light scattering measurements.

Quantitative measurement of local elasticity of SiO_x film by atomic force acoustic microscopy

In this paper the elastic properties of SiOx film are investigated quantitatively for local fixed point and qualitatively for overall area by atomic force acoustic microscopy （AFAM） in which the sample is vibrated at the ultrasonic frequency while the sample surface is touched and scanned with the tip contacting the sample respectively for fixed point and continuous measurements. The SiOx films on the silicon wafers are prepared by the plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition （PECVD）, The local contact stiffness of the tip-SiOx film is calculated from the contact resonance spectrum measured with the atomic force acoustic microscopy. Using the reference approach, indentation modulus of SiOx film for fixed point is obtained. The images of cantilever amplitude are also visualized and analysed when the SiOx surface is excited at a fixed frequency. The results show that the acoustic amplitude images can reflect the elastic properties of the sample.

Analysis of the injection layer of PTCDA in OLEDs using x-ray photoemission spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy

Through the investigation of the sample surface and interface of 3, 4, 9, 10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride （PTCDA）/indium-tin-oxide （ITO） thin films using atomic force microscopy, it has been found that the surface is complanate, the growth is uniform and the defects cover basically the surface of ITO. Furthermore, the number of pinholes is small. The analysis of the sample surface and interface further verifies this result by using x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. At the same time, PTCDA is found to have the ability of restraining the diffusion of chemical constituents from ITO to the hole transport layer, which is beneficial to the improvement of the performance and the useful lifetime of the organic light emitting diodes （OLEDs）.

Single DNA molecular manipulation with atomic force microscopy

Nanomanipulation of DNA molecules or other biomolecules to form artificial patterns or structures at nanometer scale has potential applications in the construction of molecular devices in future industries. It may also lead to new insights into the interesting properties and behavior of this fantastic nature-selected molecule at the sin- gle-molecular level. Here we present a special method based on the combination of macroscopic “molecular comb- ing” and microscopic “molecular cutting” to manipulate DNA molecules and form complex patterns at nanometer scale on solid surfaces. A possible strategy for ordered DNA sequencing based on this nanomanipulation technique has also been proposed.

Investigation of Adsorption of Xanthan Gum on Enamel by Tapping Mode Atomic Force Microscopy

By using tapping mode atomic force microscopy(TMAFM), a polymer layer was found on the enamel surface after the exposure to xanthan gum solutions. The layer thickness is closely related to the exposure time and the concentration of xanthan gum solution. The thickness data were evaluated by a Kruskal-Wallis test and Box-Whisker Plot at a 95% confidence level(p<0.05), and a statistically significant difference among the thickness data groups was demonstrated. After the exposure to 1000, 400, 100 mg/L xanthan gum solutions, the mean of layer thickness at the adsorption equilibrium is in the ranges of 103.5_122.06, 82.4_88.94 and 45.27_55.55 nm, respectively. This phenomenon suggests that the viscosity modifying agents in the beverage might be adsorbed on the enamel surface during consumption, which may form a barrier that can protect the enamel from being attacked by acid and therefore reduce dental erosion.

Effect of Rho-kinase pathway on neurite outgrowth of rat hippocampal neurons under atomic force microscopy

Hippocampal neurons of neonatal rats were cultured in serum-free culture medium for 5 days in vitro, and treated with the Rho-kinase inducer lysophosphatidic acid. Atomic force microscopy revealed that the numbers of level-1, -2 and -3 neurites protruding from rat hippocampal neurons was significantly reduced. After treatment with the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632, a significant increase in the numbers of these neurites was observed. Our experimental findings indicate that the Rho-kinase pathway is closely associated with the neurites of hippocampal neurons.

Effects of caveolin-1 on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells differentiating into neuron-like cells An atomic force microscopy observation

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） from rats were transfected with Rn-siRNA-caveolin-1 and differentiated into neuron-like cells using fasudil hydrochloride. Membrane ultrastructural changes in MSCs were observed under atomic force microscopy. Caveolin-l-transfected rat MSCs exhibited weak nuclear refraction, dense caveolae and long finger-like cellular processes prior to fasudil hydrochloride treatment. MSCs differentiating into neuron-like cells exhibited weak nuclear refraction and large cellular processes without caveolae. We hypothesize that caveolin-1 plays an important role in the regulation of bone marrow MSC differentiating into neuron-like cells.

Microstructure Morphologies of Asphalt Binders using Atomic Force Microscopy

We investigated microstructure morphologies of three asphalts（SK, Karamay, and Esso） used in China using atomic force microscopy（AFM）. The topography and phase contrast images were obtained. Topographic profile and three dimensional images were described. Roughnesses of microstructure were calculated. And the chemical compositions of asphalt were tested to explain the microstructural mechanism of the asphalt. The results show that the topography and phase image in atomic force microscopy are appropriate to evaluate the microstructure of the asphalt binder. There are significant differences in microstructural morphologies including bee-like structure, topographic profile, 3D image, and roughness for three asphalts in this study. There are three different phases in microstructure of asphalt binder. The oil source and chemical composition of asphalt, especially asphaltenes content have a great influence on the microstructure.

Theory of higher harmonics imaging in tapping-mode atomic force microscopy

The periodic impact force induced by tip-sample contact in a tapping mode atomic force microscope （AFM） gives rise to the non-harmonic response of a micro-cantilever. These non-harmonic signals contain the full characteristics of tip-sample interaction. A complete theoretical model describing the dynamical behaviour of tip-sample system was developed in this paper. An analytic formula was introduced to describe the relationship between time-varying tip-sample impact force and tip motion. The theoretical analysis and numerical results both show that the timevarying tip-sample impact force can be reconstructed by recording tip motion. This allows for the reconstruction of the characteristics of the tip-sample force, like contact time and maximum contact force. It can also explain the ability of AFM higher harmonics imaging in mapping stiffness and surface energy variations.

Elucidation and Identification of Double-Tip Effects in Atomic Force Microscopy Studies of Biological Structures

While atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been increasingly applied to life science, artifactual measurements or images can occur during nanoscale analyses of cell components and biomolecules. Tip-sample convolution effect is the most common mechanism responsible for causing artifacts. Some deconvolution-based methods or algorithms have been developed to reconstruct the specimen surface or the tip geometry. Double-tip or double-probe effect can also induce artifactual images by a different mechanism from that of convolution effect. However, an objective method for identifying the double-tip/probe-induced artifactual images is still absent. To fill this important gap, we made use of our expertise of AFM to analyze artifactual double-tip images of cell structures and biomolecules, such as linear DNA, during AFM scanning and imaging. Mathematical models were then generated to elucidate the artifactual double-tip effects and images develop during AFM imaging of cell structures and biomolecules. Based on these models, computational formulas were created to measure and identify potential double-tip AFM images. Such formulas proved to be useful for identification of double-tip images of cell structures and DNA molecules. The present studies provide a useful methodology to evaluate double-tip effects and images. Our results can serve as a foundation to design computer-based automatic detection of double-tip AFM images during nanoscale measuring and imaging of biomolecules and even non-biological materials or structures, and then personal experience is not needed any longer to evaluate artifactual images induced by the double-tip/probe effect.

Effects of Environments on the Noise of Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilevers

Thermal vibration of the cantilevers is the main source of noise in atomic force microscopy(AFM).When immersed in liquids,the dynamic behavior of the cantilevers will be significantly affected by the environment.In this study,the effects of environments on the noise of AFM were investigated.The results show that the V⁃shaped cantilever exhibited very low noise in high vacuum.The noise in atmospheric environment was also satisfactory.In liquid environments,the noise dramatically increased.The systematic noise was low and dependent on the distance between the tip and substrate.As the velocity increased,the noise of V⁃shaped cantilever was increased in a similar trend.It is also found that the variation trend was more pronounced as the liquid viscosity increased.The noise of rectangular cantilever was lower than that of V⁃shaped cantilever in the same environment.The present study indicates that high vacuum is an ideal environment for single molecule force spectroscopy(SMFS)due to the lower noise and higher resolution.For a better signal⁃to⁃noise ratio,both the cantilever velocity and liquid viscosity should be as low as possible.These results will be helpful when a lower noise is desired in weak force detection.

The structure of the nucleosome core particle of chromatin in chicken erythrocytes visualized by using atomicforce microscopy

INTRODUCTIONAlleukaryoticchromosomesconsistsofaregularlyrepeatingprotein--DNAcomplexcalledthenucleosome(Kornberg,1977)[if.Itistraditionallyconsideredtobethefundamentalunitofchromatinstructure.Thephysicalpropertiesofnucleosomedependonsolutioncondition...

Characterizing silicon intercalated graphene grown epitaxially on Ir films by atomic force microscopy

An efficient method based on atomic force microscopy（AFM） has been developed to characterize silicon intercalated graphene grown on single crystalline Ir（111） thin films. By combining analyses of the phase image, force curves,and friction–force mapping, acquired by AFM, the locations and coverages of graphene and silicon oxide can be well distinguished. We can also demonstrate that silicon atoms have been successfully intercalated between graphene and the substrate. Our method gives an efficient and simple way to characterize graphene samples with interacted atoms and is very helpful for future applications of graphene-based devices in the modern microelectronic industry, where AFM is already widely used.

Application of atomic force microscopy in blood research

AIM: To find suitable solutions having lesser granules and keeping erythrocytes in normal shapes under atomic force microscopy (AFM).METHODS: Eight kinds of solutions, 1% formaldehyde,PBS buffer (pH7.2), citrate buffer (pH6,0), 0.9% NaCl,5% dextrose, TAE, 1640 medium and 5% EDTA-K2, were selected from commonly used laboratory solutions, and venous blood from a healthy human volunteer was drawn and anticoagulated with EDTA-K2. Before scanned by AFM (NanoScopeⅢa SPM, Digital Instruments, Santa Barbara,CA), a kind of intermixture was deposited on freshly cleaved mica and then dried in the constant temperature cabinet (37 ℃).RESULTS: One percent formaldehyde, citrate buffer, 5%dextrose, TAE, were found to keep human erythrocytes in normal shape with few particles. Processed by these solutions, fine structures of human erythrocyte membrane were obtained.CONCLUSION: One percent formaldehyde, citrate buffer,5% dextrose and TAE may be applied to disposeerythrocytes in AFM. The results may offer meaningful data for clinical diagnosis of blood by AFM.

Monitoring film coalescence from aqueous polymeric dispersions using atomic force microscopy: Surface topographic and nano-adhesion studies

The aim of the investigation was to develop the use of topographic and nano-adhesion atomic force microscopy(AFM) studies as a means of monitoring the coalescence of latex particles within films produced from a pharmaceutically relevant aqueous dispersion(Eudragit~?NE30 D). Films were prepared via spin coating and analysed using AFM, initially via tapping mode for topographic assessment followed by force-distance measurements which allowed assessment of site-specific adhesion. The results showed that colloidal particles were clearly observed topographically in freshly prepared samples, with coalescence detected on curing via the disappearance of discernible surface features and a decrease in roughness indices. The effects of temperature and humidity on film curing were also studied, with the former having the most pronounced effect. AFM force measurements showed that the variation in adhesive force reduced with increasing curing time, suggesting a novel method of quantifying the rate of film formation upon curing. It was concluded that the AFM methods outlined in this study may be used as a means of qualitatively and quantitatively monitoring the curing of pharmaceutical films as a function of time and other variables, thereby facilitating rational design of curing protocols.

Improvement of the high-k/Ge interface thermal stability using an in-situ ozone treatment characterized by conductive atomic force microscopy

In this work, an in-situ ozone treatment is carried out to improve the interface thermal stability of HfO_2/Al_2O_3 gate stack on germanium（Ge） substrate. The micrometer scale level of HfO_2/Al_2O_3 gate stack on Ge is studied using conductive atomic force microscopy（AFM） with a conductive tip. The initial results indicate that comparing with a non insitu ozone treated sample, the interface thermal stability of the sample with an in-situ ozone treatment can be substantially improved after annealing. As a result, void-free surface, low conductive spots, low leakage current density, and relative high breakdown voltage high-κ/Ge are obtained. A detailed analysis is performed to confirm the origins of the changes.All results indicate that in-situ ozone treatment is a promising method to improve the interface properties of Ge-based three-dimensional（3D） devices in future technology nodes.

Optical and atomic force microscopic study on step bunching in BaB_2O_4 crystal growth

The formation of macrostep during high-temperature phase of barium meta-borate （^-BaB204） single crystal growth has been investigated by both optical in-situ observation system and atomic force microscopy （AFM）. The in- si$u observation results demonstrate that the critical linear size of growing facet exceeding the size that the macrostep generates is significantly anisotropic. The critical linear sizes are around 280 ~m and 620 ~m for {1010} and （T010} planes, respectively. AFM study illustrates that macrostep train with a height of 150 nm^200 nm is one typical morphological feature of the as-grown crystal surface. The riser of each macrostep consists of several straight and parallel sub-steps, indicating the occurrence of step bunching. Additionally, triangular sub-steps with heights of several nanometers on the treads of the macrosteps are found to be another typical feature of surface morphology, which implies a microscopically competitive bunching of sub-steps between various crystallographic orientations.