Titre | Graphite, graphene on SiC, and graphene nanoribbons: Calculated images with a numerical FM-AFM |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2012 |
Authors | Castanié, F., L. Nony, S. Gauthier, and X. Bouju |
Journal | Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology |
Volume | 3 |
Pagination | 301 - 311 |
Date Published | 2012 |
Résumé | Background: Characterization at the atomic scale is becoming an achievable task for FM-AFM users equipped, for example, with a qPlus sensor. Nevertheless, calculations are necessary to fully interpret experimental images in some specific cases. In this context, we developed a numerical AFM (n-AFM) able to be used in different modes and under different usage conditions. Results: Here, we tackled FM-AFM image calculations of three types of graphitic structures, namely a graphite surface, a graphene sheet on a silicon carbide substrate with a Si-terminated surface, and finally, a graphene nanoribbon. We compared static structures, meaning that all the tip and sample atoms are kept frozen in their equilibrium position, with dynamic systems, obtained with a molecular dynamics module allowing all the atoms to move freely during the probe oscillations. Conclusion: We found a very good agreement with experimental graphite and graphene images. The imaging process for the deposited nanoribbon demonstrates the stability of our n-AFM to image a non-perfectly planar substrate exhibiting a geometrical step as well as a material step. |
DOI | 10.3762/bjnano.3.34 |
Attachment | Date | Size |
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2012-castagnie001.pdf | 02/04/12 3:55 pm | 2.17 Mo |