Abstract
Detailed tip height measurements during manipulation of single atoms, molecules, and dimers on a Cu(211) surface reveal different manipulation modes depending on tunneling parameters. Both attractive (Cu, Pb, Pb dimers) and repulsive manipulation (CO) are identified. Using attractive forces, discontinuous hopping of Cu and Pb atoms from one adsorption site to the next can be induced (“pulling”). Pb dimers can be pulled with repeated single, double, and triple hops. Pb atoms can also be “slid” continuously. The occurrence of different movement patterns is shown to be a sensitive probe for surface defects.
- Received 4 February 1997
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.79.697
©1997 American Physical Society
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This article appears in the following collection:
Scanning Probe Microscopy: From Sublime to Ubiquitous
This collection marks the 35th anniversary of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and the 30th anniversary of atomic force microscopy (AFM). These papers, all published in the Physical Review journals, highlight the positive impact that STM and AFM have had, and continue to have, on physical science research. The papers included in the collection have been made free to read.