Formation, manipulation, and elasticity measurement of a nanometric column of water molecules |
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Authors: | Choe H Hong M-H Seo Y Lee K Kim G Cho Y Ihm J Jhe W |
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Institution: | School of Physics, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, Korea. |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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