1998 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Trial manufacture of simple scanning tunneling microscope for teaching the concept of atom
Project/Area Number |
08558008
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Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
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Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
Section | 展開研究 |
Research Field |
Science education
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Research Institution | Yamanashi University |
Principal Investigator |
KOMIYAMA Masaharu Professor, Univ.Fac.of Eng, Yamanashi, 工学部, 教授 (60150257)
|
Project Period (FY) |
1996 – 1998
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Keywords | scanning tunneling microscope / science education / concept of atom |
Research Abstract |
Scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is a highly unique microscope that is capable of observing individual atoms under atmospheric conditions. This cap ability allows one to use it as a tool for providing the direct evidence of the existence of atoms in the study of the concept of atoms in the early stage of science education. Nevertheless, commecialization of STM has just began, and they are still designed for research purposes with inhibitingly high price tag for the use in classes. The present work aimed at building a simple, portable STM that can be used in classes for the teaching of the concept of atoms. The results obtained during the present project are as follows. (1) The most expensive parts of STM, viz., controllers and visualizers, are replaced by a normal personal computer that may be faound in any science classes. For this purpose a digital controll circuit is developed, with algorism for the control of STM.Its compativility with the present research grade STM mechanical head was examined. (2) Simple and sturdy portable STM was experimentally manufactured, and its compatibility with the above digital controll circuit was examined. (3) Thus a portable STM that gives stable graphite atomic images with easy operation was developed.
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