The importance of identifying DNA bases at the single-molecule level is well recognized for many biological applications. Although such identification can be achieved by electrical measurements using special setups, it is still not possible to identify single bases in real space by optical means owing to the diffraction limit. Herein, we demonstrate the outstanding ability of scanning tunneling microscope (STM)-controlled non-resonant tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) to unambiguously distinguish two individual complementary DNA bases (adenine and thymine) with a spatial resolution down to 0.9 nm. The distinct Raman fingerprints identified for the two molecules allow to differentiate in real space individual DNA bases in coupled base pairs. The demonstrated ability of non-resonant Raman scattering with super-high spatial resolution will significantly extend the applicability of TERS, opening up new routes for single-molecule DNA sequencing.

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is a powerful surface analysis technique that can provide subnanometer-resolved images of nanostructures with site-specific chemical fingerprints. However, due to the limitation of weak Raman signals and the resultant difficulty in achieving TERS imaging with good signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), the conventional single-peak analysis is unsuitable for distinguishing complex molecular architectures at the subnanometer scale. Here we demonstrate that the combination of subnanometer-resolved TERS imaging and advanced multivariate analysis can provide an unbiased panoramic view of the chemical identity and spatial distribution of different molecules on surfaces, yielding high-quality chemical images despite limited SNRs in individual pixel-level spectra. This methodology allows us to exploit the full power of TERS imaging and unambiguously distinguish between adjacent molecules with a resolution of ~0.4 nm, as well as to resolve submolecular features and the differences in molecular adsorption configurations. Our results provide a promising methodology that promotes TERS imaging as a routine analytical technique for the analysis of complex nanostructures on surfaces.

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The importance of identifying DNAb ases at the single-molecule level is well recognized for many biological applications.A lthough such identification can be achieved by electrical measurements using special setups,i ti ss till not possible to identify single bases in real space by optical means owingt ot he diffraction limit. Herein, we demonstrate the outstanding ability of scanning tunneling microscope (STM)controlled non-resonant tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) to unambiguously distinguish two individual complementary DNAb ases (adenine and thymine) with as patial resolution down to 0.9 nm. The distinct Raman fingerprints identified for the two molecules allowt od ifferentiate in real space individual DNAb ases in coupled base pairs.T he demonstrated ability of non-resonant Raman scattering with super-high spatial resolution will significantly extend the applicability of TERS,o pening up new routes for singlemolecule DNAs equencing.

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Effects of shaft shape errors are studied on dynamic characteristics of a rotor-bearing system. Stability characteristics of the cylindrical journal bearing are studied. It is shown that the rotating speed at which the oil whip occurs increases when the shape errors exit. And, there is a threshold speed of the bearing with shaft shape errors; before the speed is increased to the threshold, orbits of the center of the journal decrease, and when the speed exceeds the threshold, the orbits increase dramatically and oil whip appears. Furthermore, the quantitative relationship between shaft shape errors and bearing reaction forces of the rotor-bearing system is obtained, which is verified by experiments using rotors with different machining precisions. In order to reduce computing time, variational principle is applied when solving Reynolds’ equation.