title: Visualization of synthetic helical polymers by high-resolution atomic force microscopy.
abstract: Direct observations of the helical structures of artificial helical polymers, such as helical polyacetylenes and polyisocyanides, by atomic force microscopy (AFM) are described in this tutorial review. The two-dimensional helix bundle formation of specific helical polymers on substrates under solvent vapor exposure permits us to determine their helical structures, including their helical pitch and handedness, at a molecular level by AFM in the tapping mode. The direct observation of supramolecular helical structures based on stereoregular poly(methyl methacrylate)s is also described.
authors.affiliation: Yashima Super-structured Helix Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology (ERATO), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Japan. kumaki@yz.yamagata-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Jiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kumaki
authors.forename: Shin-Ichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yashima