Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/33283

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Title
Lattice-resolution imaging of the sapphire (0001) surface in air by AFM
Author/Creator
Gan, Yang;  Wanless, Erica J.;  Franks, George V.
Institution
The University of Newcastle. Faculty of Science & Information Technology, School of Environmental and Life Science
Description
Lattice-resolution images of single-crystal α-alumina (sapphire) (0 0 0 1) surfaces have been obtained using contact-mode AFM under ambient conditions. It was found that the hexagonal surface lattice has a periodicity of 0.47 ± 0.11 nm, which is identical to that reported previously when the same surface was imaged in water. Large lattice corrugations (as high as 1 nm) were observed, but were concluded to be imaging artifacts because of the strong friction which causes additional deflection of the cantilever. The additional deflection of the cantilever is registered by the detector of the optical beam-deflection AFM resulting in an overestimation of the height at each lattice point. Abrupt changes were also resolved in the topography including honeycomb patterns and a transition from 2D lattices to 1D parallel stripes, with scanning direction. These phenomena can be explained by the commensurate sliding between the tip and sapphire surface due to the strong contact force.
Relation
Surface Science Vol. 601, Issue 4, p. 1064-1071
Publisher Link
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.susc.2006.11.057
Date
2007
Publisher
Elsevier
Keyword(s)
atomic force microscopy;  surface structure, morphology, roughness, and topography;  aluminum oxide;  stepped single-crystal surfaces;  resolution
Resource Type
journal article
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/33283
Identifier
ISSN:0039-6028
Reviewed
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Subject
"Surface Science"
 
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