Contacts:
Paul S. Weiss: stm@psu.edu
Arrelaine Dameron: aad@stm1.chem.psu.edu
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21 Davey Lab Contacts: |
Currently, STM F is being used as a Besocke style ambient STM, similar to STM C and STM D. Adamantanthiol is being explored to discover if it is tighter and has less defects than conventional alkanethiol SAMs. In addition several molecules or varying shapes, sizes, and functionalities are being examined, by insertion into preexisiting SAMs, to further our understanding of the switching phenomena we have observed in the past.
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Adamantanthiol SAM on Au{111} |
Prospective image of 4-thioaceto-biphenyl molecules inserted
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In the future it will be used in conjunction with a new head to study optically excited systems. This new head (seen in the background of the picture) incorporates a Microslider approach mechanism with optics that enable laser light to illuminate our samples (see schematic). Using backside illumination and total internal reflectance of the laser light inside the sample crystal, surface plasmons will be created across a thin metal film (grown on the crystal) that will in turn excite the molecules/particles on the surface. This will allow us to explore the excited states of our sample systems, as well as examine systems with extraordinary optical properties (such as quantum dots) on an individual basis.
 Schematic of OESTM |
 Plasmons caused by total internal reflection of the laser light inside the crystal |
