Using scanning probe microscopy, several studies were carried out to characterize surface topographies and properties. First, utilizing scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), we characterized fullerenes deposited onto gold foils and highly oriented gold films. On gold foils, we found that C₆₀ packed in hexagonally ordered overlayers and that the images showed internal buckyball features that arose from electronic interactions between the molecule and the substrate. On gold films, with an ordered overlayer of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), the isolated C₆₀ molecules showed internal features in a "doughnut" shape, different than those seen previously. We also imaged gold foils on which a significant number of larger fullerene molecules were deposited, and found only spherical molecules in our images. A theoretical analysis of the optical beam deflection atomic force microscope (AFM) predicted sufficient sensitivity to measure atomic corrugations greater than 1 A. This agreed with experimental results showing atomically resolvable images. Another theoretical investigation probe the relative magnitude of the forces between the tip, sample, and an adsorbed atom on a surface. Experimentally, we investigated cleaved multiple quantum wells ans showed surface corrugations with a period equal to the quantum well spacing. The third technique used was magnetic force microscopy (MFM). We analyzed a novel system that combined the tunneling aspects of STM with the force-sensing attributes of force microscopy, and provided the ability to simultaneously image surface features as well as magnetic domains with a sensitivity that depended on the spring constant of the tunneling tip. Experimentally, we used this system to image magnetic domains and reveal the surface roughness of magnetic recording media. The second MFM technique involved spin-coating a magnetic surface with a ferrofliud, then over-coating with gold, and finally imaging the surface with STM. The STM revealed raised ridges where the ferromagnetic particles clumped in regions of high magnetic field gradient. The finally MFM we utilized imaged magnetic fields using a beam deflection force microscope by modulating a magnetic disk head and detecting the vibration of the magnetic tip. We were able to image the fields of a floppy disk head.

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Finally, we have systematically investigated the SAMs of four specially designed anthracene-based thiols. These molecules include 9-mercaptoanthracene (MA), (4-mercaptophenyl) (9-anthryl) acetylene (MPAA), (4-mercaptophenyl) (10-nitro-9-anthryl) acetylene (MPNAA), and (4-mercaptophenyl) (10-carboxyl-9-anthryl) acetylene (MPCAA) adsorbed on Au(111). For all SAMs, the parallel-displaced pi-pi stacking interactions and adsorbate-substrate interactions are dominant, which leads to a common wave-like row structure along the pi-pi interaction direction. Compared to MA, the phenyl-acetylene group of MPAA acts as space, which enhances the molecular flexibility and improves the long-range ordering. The repulsive dipole-dipole interactions of MPCAA cause a slight enlargement of the unit cell. For MPCAA, a structure similar to that of MPNAA is formed first. Then with an extended growth time, hydrogen bonding drives the pairing of adjacent inter-row molecules in the expenses of compromising intea-row parallel-displaced pi-pi interaction. / Fourth, we studied the growth of CF3 CH2SH on Au(111). We found that the adsorbed molecules mainly form low coverage phases even after a long time growth in solution. This is attributed to the strong dipole-dipole repulsion between the molecules. However, due to the special short molecular geometry, the molecules can pack with a denser packing arrangement in comparison to the long-chain fluorinated thiols. A "liquid phase" is present in all the samples studied, which solidifies quickly at elevated temperatures. Annealing causes both the growth of stable phases and desorption of weakly adsorbed molecules. Six different stripe phases with the configuration of p x 3 and p x 2a are observed on the surface. The inter-molecular interactions are either van der Waals in nature or the Columbic attraction between the slightly negatively charged F atoms and the slightly positively charged H atoms of the CH 2 group. / Second, we have observed several dash-line structures on HOPG with STM. We suggest that the structures are formed by the gliding of some top surface layers of carbon atoms. The arrest of the gliding action causes the formation of a ridge of carbon atoms and the relaxation of the ridge at room temperature leads to the formation of amorphous carbon clusters queuing along the ridge. As such, the dash-line structures are formed. They are defect structures of HOPG. / Several adsorption systems have been studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in this thesis. / The first system is Fe deposited on 3 x 3 -Al on Si(111). We found by STM that at a low coverage of less than 0.1ML and room temperature; most Fe atoms are incorporated to the 3 x 3 -Al adatom lattice. When the Fe coverage increases further, clustering of Fe atoms into three-dimensional islands occurs. These clusters draw neighboring silicon surface or sub-surface atoms and the formation of Fe-Si bonds is evident. Samples with Fe deposited at or above 400°C show Fe-Si with the CsCl crystalline structure and a top surface lattice of 2 x 2 Si (111) in nature. The crystalline island has a triangular shape and a preferred location along the step edges of the Si(111) surface. / Third, STM has been used successfully in determining the molecular morphology of some novel dendrimers. The morphology of dispersed individual molecule can be identified. In this study, we found that AFM is not applicable because of considerable tip-molecule interactions which distort the morphology of the probed molecule. / Xi Luan = SPM对表面吸附分子的研究 / 席峦. / "June 2005." / Adviser: Lau Woon Ming Leo. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-01, Section: B, page: 0491. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 109-117). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Text in English; abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307. / Xi Luan = SPM dui biao mian xi fu fen zi de yan jiu / Xi Luan.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International.

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Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2005. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2006. / Includes bibliography.