초록 ▼

A hyperbaric hydrothermal atomic force microscope (AFM) is provided to image solid surfaces in fluids, either liquid or gas, at pressures greater than normal atmospheric pressure. The sample can be heated and its surface imaged in aqueous solution at temperatures greater than 100.degree. C. with les

A hyperbaric hydrothermal atomic force microscope (AFM) is provided to image solid surfaces in fluids, either liquid or gas, at pressures greater than normal atmospheric pressure. The sample can be heated and its surface imaged in aqueous solution at temperatures greater than 100.degree. C. with less than 1 nm vertical resolution. A gas pressurized microscope base chamber houses the stepper motor and piezoelectric scanner. A chemically inert, flexible membrane separates this base chamber from the sample cell environment and constrains a high temperature, pressurized liquid or gas in the sample cell while allowing movement of the scanner. The sample cell is designed for continuous flow of liquid or gas through the sample environment.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An atomic force microscope for imaging a surface of a sample at a selected pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, comprising:a base chamber for containing a pressurized gas at the selected pressure; a sample cell operably connected to the base chamber and having a chamber for containing a pr

1. An atomic force microscope for imaging a surface of a sample at a selected pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, comprising:a base chamber for containing a pressurized gas at the selected pressure; a sample cell operably connected to the base chamber and having a chamber for containing a pressurized fluid at the selected pressure; said sample cell comprising an inlet port and an outlet port for introducing and discharging the pressurized fluid from the sample cell chamber, a flow controller to control a flow of the pressurized fluid through the sample cell, a membrane separating the sample cell chamber and the base chamber; a sample mount for mounting the sample in the sample cell; a probe for tracing the surface of the sample, a fluid cell situated between the sample cell and the base chamber, the fluid cell having a chamber for containing a pressurized fluid at the selected pressure; and a second membrane separating the fluid cell chamber and the base chamber.