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Published Online June 10, 2004
Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1099730

Reports

Submitted on April 29, 2004
Accepted on May 26, 2004

Force Microscopy with Light Atom Probes

Stefan Hembacher 1, Franz J. Giessibl 1*, Jochen Mannhart 1

1 Experimentalphysik VI, EKM, Institute of Physics, Augsburg University, 86135 Augsburg, Germany.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Franz J. Giessibl , E-mail: franz.giessibl{at}physik.uni-augsburg.de

The charge distribution in atoms with closed electron shells is spherically symmetric, while atoms with partially filled shells can form covalent bonds with pointed lobes of increased charge density. Covalent bonding in the bulk can also affect surface atoms, leading to four tiny humps spaced by less than 100 pm in the charge density of adatoms on a (001) tungsten surface. We image these charge distributions via atomic force microscopy by using a light-atom probe (a graphite atom) to directly measure high-order force derivatives of its interaction with a tungsten tip. Features with a lateral distance of only 77 pm are revealed.




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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)