Direct imaging of Au and Ag clusters by scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract
Clusters of Au and Ag deposited on the surface of highly oriented pyrolitic graphite have been imaged in air using a scanning tunneling microscope. An image is shown of a 350-Å silver cluster obtained in the constant-current (topographic) mode. In the variable-current mode, clusters of 6–20 atoms have been observed with atomic resolution. The motion and growth of clusters on the support are observed.