Formation, manipulation, and elasticity measurement of a nanometric column of water molecules.
Nanometer-sized columns of condensed water molecules are formed by an atomic-resolution force microscope operated in ambient conditions. An unusual stepwise decrease of the force gradient associated with the ultrathin water bridge in the tip-substrate gap is observed during its stretch, exhibiting regularity in step heights (approximately 0.5 N/m) and plateau lengths (approximately 1 nm). Such "quantized" elasticity is indicative of an atomic-scale stick slip at the tip-water interface. A thermodynamic-instability-induced rupture of the water meniscus (5 nm long and 2.6 nm wide) is also found. This work opens a high-resolution study of the structure and interface dynamics of a nanometric aqueous column.
Choe
H
H
School of Physics, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, Korea.
Hong
M-H
MH
Seo
Y
Y
Lee
K
K
Kim
G
G
Cho
Y
Y
Ihm
J
J
Jhe
W
W
D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000379:methods*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
D014867:Water