1991 Honors, Fellowships, etc. Images of the surface region are generated by detecting tunneling currents or interfacial forces between the probe tip and surface and can reveal the topography of the surface layer, local electronic structure, and interfacial forces such as adhesion and friction. Using the imaging capabilities of STM and AFM we are seeking to develop a relationship between the atomic scale structure and the reactivity of these surfaces. The mechanisms of nucleation and growth at the atomic scale can directly determine the structural, mechanical, and electronic properties of thin films. We are interested in using STM and AFM to study the growth of metallic films on oxide surfaces, superconducting films, and self-assembled organic monolayers.
Tribology is the study of friction, lubrication, and wear of two bodies in relative motion.
We are using atomic force microscopy to study tribological contacts on the nanometer scale, precisely measuring the friction and adhesion forces between the two surfaces. The role of lubricants in modifying these forces is also studied, focusing on the chemical composition and structure of the lubricant.