Messung mit Elektronen

All Scanning Probe Microscopes (SXM) are based on similar principles. The aim of this article is to work out the common aspects, to elucidate the differences, and to point to possible applications in the field of biology. The Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM), invented by Binnig and Rohrer[45] serves as a model system. A summary of the theory of the STM points out the different operating modes and techniques, deals with the problem of imaging and gives resolution criteria.

A detailed introduction to the mechanical end electronic design of the STM is presented. Design rules are worked out to help the builders of an STM and to allow the users to judge their instruments. An important part of any STM experiment is the data acquisition and the image processing. Critical points in the data acquisition systems and common image processing techniques are worked out. All the technical issues of the STM are equally valid for other SXM techniques.

The section on the STM concludes with the description of a few experiments. The application of the STM to the imaging of biological and organic matter is treated in depth by other papers in this book.

The Scanning Force Microscope (SFM) is the most successful offspring of the STM. The design principles worked out for the STM are equally valid for the SFM. The additional critical points of an SFM are treated. Special emphasis is given to the description of the various interaction forces and the force sensing techniques, including the Scanning Force and Friction Microscope (SFFM). The section on the SFM is closed by presenting a few representative experiments.

The interested reader might also want to consult review articles on scanning probe microscopy[47,48,49,50,51,52,53].