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P R O C E S S E S | J U L Y / A U G U S T

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A new patent from ANL includes a compact programmable nanorotator that allows the

fabrication of smart tips (A). Coaxial smart tips serve as novel x-ray detectors, shown before

(left) and after (right) nanofabrication (B). Courtesy of ANL.

X-RAY MICROSCOPY

TECHNIQUE PROVIDES

CHEMICAL FINGERPRINT

Gaining a comprehensive under-

standing of nanoscale systems requires

tools with both the ability to resolve

nanometer structures as well as direct

observation of chemical composition

and magnetic properties. X-ray mi-

croscopy methods provide the desired

chemical and magnetic sensitivity, but

their spatial resolution is limited. On

the other hand, scanning tunneling mi-

croscopy (STM) achieves the requisite

high spatial resolution, yet it has a fun-

damental drawback in that it is chemi-

cally blind. Now, scientists at the DOE’s

Argonne National Laboratory (ANL),

Lemont, Ill., have advanced a new tech-

nology that pairs the powerful capabili-

ties of x-ray analysis and STM.

This long-standing goal was

achieved by developing “smart” nano-

fabricated coaxial multilayer probes

that serve as detectors in the micro-

scope as well as a programmable

nanomanipulator to fabricate these.

Further, a specialized electronic filter

was invented that allows scientists to

obtain simultaneous topographic and

chemical information on surfaces, giv-

ing the chemical fingerprint of the ma-

terial while also providing a detailed,

clear image of the physical structure.

Researchers expect that the new pat-

ent will ultimately enable the study

of the electronic, chemical, and mag-

netic properties in individual atoms.