Automated probe microscopy via evolutionary optimization at the atomic scale

Abstract

Articles you may be interested inOptimal design and fabrication of three-dimensional calibration specimens for scanning probe microscopy Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 053708 (2012); 10.1063/1.4719661 TSP based Evolutionary optimization approach for the Vehicle Routing Problem AIP Conf.We describe the development and application of an imaging protocol, which evolves a scanning probe's atomic structure in parallel with automated optimization of the scan parameters. Our protocol coerces the system into a state that produces a specific atomic resolution image type without human involvement.

Mechanochemistry at the Single Bond Limit: Towards `Deterministic Epitaxy'

“…That DFM images have a very sensitive dependence on both the geometric structure and chemical nature of the apex of the scanning probe has been well-known from the early days of the technique [9]. This is particularly the case for III-V semiconductors, where deliberate crashing of the tip into, for example, an InAs surface [34] led to large changes in the chemical specificity of the imaging process -the termination of the probe apex produced markedly different responses to the surface anions and cations.…”

Artificial intelligence in nanotechnology

“…These results predicted by the ANN were later confirmed in experiments made over graphene layers. [35] Evolutionary optimization has been applied to automatize the process of imaging in SPM with a software that is able to tune the precise state of the probe and the associated control parameters [36]. In this way, high quality atomic resolution images are obtained with no human involvement further than the sample and tip preparation.…”

Mechanochemistry at the Single Bond Limit: Towards `Deterministic Epitaxy'

“…As described in the Case for Support, two previous Sixty Symbols videos have focussed on single atom manipulation [9] and molecular imaging/spectroscopy [10] research from the Nottingham-KCL collaboration. These have attracted over 230,000 views to date between them, and have generated many hundreds of comments.…”

“…1 shows a number of research highlights spanning three aspects of our track record of central importance to this proposal, namely tip control and characterization [4], ultrahigh resolution imaging and spectroscopy [5], and atomic manipulation [6]. Other key results over the last five years include the imaging of back-bonding at a semiconductor surface [7],elucidating the role of orbital overlap in atomic manipulation [8],and the development of strategies and protocols for the intelligent automation of probe optimization [9].…”