Investigation of crystal surfaces on organic layer lattice structures and protein structures using scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy

Abstract

Scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy are new methods for observing crystal surfaces at the molecular and atomic level. They are well established in the field of inorganic substances. In contrast, the examination of organic or biological crystals is much more complicated and less accurate. We studied crystal surfaces of anthracene and tetracene, comparing the results with X-ray structure investigations, and we succeeded in getting molecular and partial atomic resolution. In the case of lysozyme, the periodical particle arrangement at the surface can be recognized, but the single particles are much larger than should be expected.