Using functionalized tips, the atomic resolution of a single organic molecule can be achieved by atomic force microscopy (AFM) operating in the regime of short-ranged repulsive Pauli forces while the van der Waals and electrostatic interactions only add a diffuse attractive background. To theoretically describe the atomic contrast a simple model is introduced in which the Pauli repulsion is assumed to follow a power law as a function of the probed charge density. Even, different bond orders of individual carbon-carbon bonds in organic molecules can be distinguished by AFM.
Diamond has an attractive interest as one of next-generation power electronics materials. Since the sheet hole density in the hydrogenated-diamond surface was reported to be as high as 1E14 cm-2 which was one or two orders larger than other semiconductors. Therefore, we should use such the big advantage and then have to develop the high-k gate dielectric for diamond in order to control the high-density hole carrier.
