| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R34745/01 |
| Title: |
An ultra-HighSpeed Scanning Probe Microscope for Materials Science and the Life Sciences. |
| Principal Investigator: |
Miles, Professor MJ |
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| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
University of Bristol |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 July 2001 |
Ends: |
31 December 2004 |
Value (£): |
288,785
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Conventional atomic force microscopy is limited in its speed of imaging to a maximum frame rate of about 1 frame per 10 seconds. We will develop a scanning probe microscope capable of imaging at 100 frames per second by collecting optical data from the specimen with a tapered optical fibre oscillating close to its resonant frequency. This oscillation provides the fast scan (x-direction) of the rastered image while a conventional piezo-elecric transducer provides the 'slow' scan (y-direction). The optical probe will be maintained at an average distance from the surface of about 10 nm using the so-called shear-force feedback mechanism. Two basic modes of operation are envisaged: (i) apertureless photon scanning tunnelling microscopy (PSTM) in which the tip of the fibre probes an evanescent field above the specimen, and since the probe is operating at constant height the collected optical data will be mostly related to the surface topography of the specimen, and (ii) scanning near-field optical microscopy (apertured) for which the optical signal will also depend on the topography. Although the resolution will not be as high as PSTM, birefringent contrast will be possible, which will be of importance for polymer crystallisation studies. Ultra-high-speed imaging will be of importance over a very wide range of discplines. In this project, two areas will be assessed: (i) synthetic polymer processes and (ii) biomolecular processes.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.bris.ac.uk |