Full Record for Micrograph 649
- Micrograph no
- 649
- Brief description
- An image of an alkane crystal taken by AFM
- Keywords
- alkane, atomic force microscopy , polymer , pyramid, single crystal
- Categories
- Polymer
- System
- Alkane
- Composition
- C36H74
- Standard codes
- Reaction
- Processing
- Applications
- Sample preparation
- Technique
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
- Length bar
- 30 μm
- Further information
- The image shows a crystal of short alkane molecules that have grown from solution into the spiral pyramid shown. This is an example of the screw dislocation mode of crystal growth. Each molecule is the same length, consisting of 36 carbon atoms in a long chain with 74 hydrogen atoms attached to these carbons (C36H74). The image, measuring 14 microns along the edge of the base and approximately 100 nm high, was taken using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The AFM scans a sharp stylus over the sample, and by detecting the movement of the stylus as it passes over the crystal, three-dimensional height data are recorded. The artificial colouring applied during this process emphasises the height information - the lowest parts of the crystal are dark red, with the summit of the crystal in a rich plum.
- Contributor
- R Williamson
- Organisation
- Scanning Probe Microscopy Group, Bristol University
- Date
- 03/10/02
- Licence for re-use
- DoITPoMS standard terms of use