Simulation of interaction process in the system STM probe – sample with a complex relief: recommendations on the standard technological mode

Abstract

Using the Gupta many body potential and the Monte Carlo method, simulation of interaction in the probe (copper) – sample (gold) system with thermal expansion, depending on the distance between them has been carried out for two types of relief: «wave» type and «grain» type. It is established that the thermal expansion of the tip of the probe can reach values comparable to the width of the tunnel gap, and possibly the occurrence of an avalanche process of thermal expansion of the tip, leading to the formation of a contact between the tip of the probe and the surface of the sample. The recommendations on the standard technological mode of the scanning tunneling microscope have been formulated.

Keywords

• Monte-Carlo method
• Gupta potential
• scanning tunneling microscopy
• probe-sample contact