US5202004A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scanning electrochemical microscopy
Assignee: Bruker Nano Inc
•
Filing: 1989-12-20
•
Granted: 1993-04-13
•
Expires: 2009-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A method for locating a chemical substance on the surface of a material and for determining the contour of a surface of a material using a scanning electrochemical microscope is provided in the present invention. The substance to be examined is immersed in a solution, the tip of a working electrode is positioned in the solution proximate the surface and an electric potential is connected directly or indirectly between the tip and the material generating a current through the tip and producing an electrochemical reaction. The current through the tip is measured at a plurality of points while the tip is scanned across the surface. The current at each point in the scan is preferably plotted to produce an image of the contour or of the differing chemical compositions on the surface of the substance being examined. The solution in which the substance and working electrode tip are immersed is chosen to enable electrochemically generated reduction and oxidation processes to occur between the surface and the tip. The changing contour or change of chemical substances over which the working electrode is scanned produces related differences in current through the tip. Light emission by electrogenerated chemiluminescence or inverse photoemission spectroscopy may also be produced and measured in the method of the present invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Juhyoun Kwak
- 👤 Allen J. Bard
- 👤 Fu-Ren F. Fan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01Q; G01Q30/00; G01Q30/08; G01Q30/12; G01Q30/14; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y35/00; G01Q60/00; G01Q60/60; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/84; Y10S977/849; Y10S977/852; Y10S977/86; Y10S977/864; Y10S977/868; Y10S977/869; Y10S977/875; Y10S977/88; Y10S977/881
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of locating a chemical substance on a surface of a material comprising the steps of: immersing said surface in a solution selected to be capable of supporting redox processes with said chemical substance; positioning a tip of a working electrode in said solution proximate said surface at a distance of 1 nm to 10 microns; connecting a controllable electric potential between said tip and said material; setting said electric potential to produce an electrochemical reaction carried by said redox process immediate said working tip, said reaction generating a current through said tip; moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface and proximal to a plurality of points in a reference plane wherein said plurality of points comprises at least one point proximal said chemical substance, wherein a substantially constant distance of said working electrode tip from said reference plane is maintained; and measuring working tip faradaic current at each point of said plurality of points wherein measured tip currents locate said chemical substance on said surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of locating a chemical substance on a surface of a material comprising the steps of: immersing said surface in a solution selected to be capable of supporting redox processes with said chemical substance; positioning a tip of a working electrode in said solution proximate said surface at a distance of 1 nm to 10 microns; connecting a controllable electric potential between said tip and said material; setting said electric potential to produce an electrochemical reaction carried by said redox process immediate said working tip, said reaction generating a current through said tip; moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface and proximal to a plurality of points in a reference plane wherein said plurality of points comprises at least one point proximal said chemical substance, wherein a substantially constant distance of said working electrode tip from said reference plane is maintained; and measuring working tip faradaic current at each point of said plurality of points wherein measured tip currents locate said chemical substance on said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said connecting step further comprises connecting a direct current electric potential between said tip and said material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said connecting step further comprises connecting an electric current having an alternating current component between said working tip and said material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said measuring step includes measuring said alternating current component and a phase angle of said alternating current component between said material and said working tip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said material is a conductive material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said material is a semiconductive material.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of determining a contour of a surface of a material comprising the steps of: immersing said surface in a solution selected to be capable of supporting redox processes with said surface; positioning a tip of a working electrode in said solution proximate said surface at a distance of 1 nm to 10 microns; connecting a controllable electric potential between said tip and said material; setting said electric potential to produce an electrochemical reaction carried by said redox processes immediate said working tip, said reaction generating a current through said tip; moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface and proximal to a plurality of points in a reference plane wherein said plurality of points comprises points proximal said surface, wherein a substantially constant distance of said working electrode tip from said reference plane is maintained; and measuring working tip faradaic current at each point of said plurality of points wherein measured tip currents form an image determining said contour of said surface.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of determining a contour of a surface of a material comprising the steps of: immersing said surface in a solution selected to be capable of supporting redox processes with said surface; positioning a tip of a working electrode in said solution proximate said surface at a distance of 1 nm to 10 microns; connecting a controllable electric potential between said tip and said material; setting said electric potential to produce an electrochemical reaction carried by said redox processes immediate said working tip, said reaction generating a current through said tip; moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface and proximal to a plurality of points in a reference plane wherein said plurality of points comprises points proximal said surface, wherein a substantially constant distance of said working electrode tip from said reference plane is maintained; and measuring working tip faradaic current at each point of said plurality of points wherein measured tip currents form an image determining said contour of said surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said connecting step further comprises connecting a direct current electric potential between said tip and said material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said connecting step further comprises connecting an electric current having an alternating current component between said working tip and said material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said measuring step further comprises measuring said alternating current component and a phase angle of said alternating current component between said material and said working tip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said material is a conductive material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said material is a semiconductive material.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of determining a contour of a surface of a material comprising the steps of: immersing said surface in a solution selected to be capable of supporting redox processes with said surface; positioning a tip of a working electrode in said solution proximate said surface at a distance of 1 nm to 10 microns; positioning a tip of an auxiliary electrode in said solution in distal relation to said working electrode; connecting a controllable electric potential between said working electrode and said auxiliary electrode; setting said electric potential to produce an electrochemical reaction carried by said redox processes immediate said working tip, said reaction generating a current through said tip; moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface and proximal to a plurality of points in a reference plane wherein said plurality of points comprises points proximal said surface, wherein a substantially constant distance of said working electrode tip from said reference plane is maintained; and measuring a faradaic electric current flowing through said working electrode tip at each point of said plurality of points wherein measured tip currents form an image determining said contour of said surface.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of determining a contour of a surface of a material comprising the steps of: immersing said surface in a solution selected to be capable of supporting redox processes with said surface; positioning a tip of a working electrode in said solution proximate said surface at a distance of 1 nm to 10 microns; positioning a tip of an auxiliary electrode in said solution in distal relation to said working electrode; connecting a controllable electric potential between said working electrode and said auxiliary electrode; setting said electric potential to produce an electrochemical reaction carried by said redox processes immediate said working tip, said reaction generating a current through said tip; moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface and proximal to a plurality of points in a reference plane wherein said plurality of points comprises points proximal said surface, wherein a substantially constant distance of said working electrode tip from said reference plane is maintained; and measuring a faradaic electric current flowing through said working electrode tip at each point of said plurality of points wherein measured tip currents form an image determining said contour of said surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of positioning a tip of a reference electrode in said solution near said working electrode tip and measuring an electric potential of said working electrode with respect to said reference electrode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said step of measuring said electric potential comprises connecting a high impedance voltage measuring means between said reference electrode and said working electrode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of maintaining said electric potential at a substantially constant level.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said moving step further comprises moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface at a speed sufficient to establish said current at at least a quasi-steady-state level.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said material is electrically insulative material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said material is electrically semiconductive material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said material is electrically conductive material.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of locating a chemical substance on a surface of a material comprising the steps of: immersing said surface in a solution selected to be capable of supporting redox processes with said chemical substance; positioning a tip of a working electrode in said solution proximate said surface at a distance of 1 nm to 10 microns; positioning tip of an auxiliary electrode in said solution in distal relation to said working electrode; connecting a controllable electric potential between said working electrode and said auxiliary electrode; setting said electric potential to produce an electrochemical reaction carried by said redox processes immediate said working tip, said reaction generating a current through said tip; moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface and proximal to a plurality of points in a reference plane wherein said plurality of points comprises at least one point proximal said chemical substance, wherein a substantially constant distance of said working electrode tip from said reference plane is maintained; and measuring faradaic current flowing through said working electrode tip at each point of said plurality of points wherein measured tip currents locate said chemical substance on said surface.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of locating a chemical substance on a surface of a material comprising the steps of: immersing said surface in a solution selected to be capable of supporting redox processes with said chemical substance; positioning a tip of a working electrode in said solution proximate said surface at a distance of 1 nm to 10 microns; positioning tip of an auxiliary electrode in said solution in distal relation to said working electrode; connecting a controllable electric potential between said working electrode and said auxiliary electrode; setting said electric potential to produce an electrochemical reaction carried by said redox processes immediate said working tip, said reaction generating a current through said tip; moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface and proximal to a plurality of points in a reference plane wherein said plurality of points comprises at least one point proximal said chemical substance, wherein a substantially constant distance of said working electrode tip from said reference plane is maintained; and measuring faradaic current flowing through said working electrode tip at each point of said plurality of points wherein measured tip currents locate said chemical substance on said surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of positioning a tip of a reference electrode in said solution near said working electrode tip and measuring an electric potential of said working electrode with respect to said reference electrode.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said step of measuring said electric potential comprises connecting a high impedance voltage measuring means between said reference electrode and said working electrode.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising a step of maintaining said electric potential at a substantially constant level.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising a step of varying said working tip electric potential with respect to said reference electrode and measuring said working tip current at a plurality of said working tip electric potentials.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said moving step further comprises moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface at a speed sufficient to establish said electric current at at least a quasi-steady-state level.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said substance is electrically insulative material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said substance is electrically semiconductive material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said substance is electrically conductive material
Claim 34
Independent Claim
196 words
A method of determining a contour of a surface comprising the steps of: immersing said surface in a solution selected to be capable of supporting redox processes with said surface; positioning a tip of a working electrode in said solution proximate said surface at a distance of 1 nm to 10 microns; positioning a tip of an auxiliary electrode in said solution in distal relation to said working electrode; connecting a controllable electric potential between said working electrode and said auxiliary electrode and producing a faradaic electric current in said working tip; setting said electric potential to produce an electrochemical reaction carried by said redox processes immediate said working tip; maintaining a substantially constant faradaic current level in said working tip; moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface and proximal to a plurality of points in a reference plane wherein said plurality of points comprises points proximal said surface, wherein a substantially constant distance of said working electrode tip from said reference plane is maintained; and measuring a voltage at said working tip at each point of said plurality of points wherein measured tip voltages form an image determining said contour of said surface.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
196 words
A method of determining a contour of a surface comprising the steps of: immersing said surface in a solution selected to be capable of supporting redox processes with said surface; positioning a tip of a working electrode in said solution proximate said surface at a distance of 1 nm to 10 microns; positioning a tip of an auxiliary electrode in said solution in distal relation to said working electrode; connecting a controllable electric potential between said working electrode and said auxiliary electrode and producing a faradaic electric current in said working tip; setting said electric potential to produce an electrochemical reaction carried by said redox processes immediate said working tip; maintaining a substantially constant faradaic current level in said working tip; moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface and proximal to a plurality of points in a reference plane wherein said plurality of points comprises points proximal said surface, wherein a substantially constant distance of said working electrode tip from said reference plane is maintained; and measuring a voltage at said working tip at each point of said plurality of points wherein measured tip voltages form an image determining said contour of said surface.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said measuring step further comprises positioning a tip of a reference electrode in said solution near said working electrode tip and measuring an electric potential of said working electrode with respect to said reference electrode.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said moving step further comprises moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface at a speed sufficient to establish said voltage at at least a quasi-steady-state level.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said surface is electrically insulative material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said surface is electrically semiconductive material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said surface is electrically conductive material.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of determining a contour of a surface of a material comprising the steps of: immersing said surface in a solution selected to be capable of supporting redox processes with said surface; positioning a tip of a working electrode in said solution proximate said surface at a distance of 1 nm to 10 microns; connecting a controllable electric potential between said tip and said material; setting said electric potential to produce an electrochemical reaction carried by said redox processes immediate said working tip, said reaction generating a current through said tip; maintaining a substantially constant faradaic current level in said working tip; maintaining a substantially constant voltage level at said working tip; moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface and proximal to a plurality of points in a reference plane wherein said plurality of points comprises points proximal and surface; varying the distance of said working tip from said reference plane at each point of said plurality of pints to maintain a substantially constant current level; and measuring said distances of said working tip from said reference plane wherein said measured distances form an image determining said contour of said surface.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of determining a contour of a surface of a material comprising the steps of: immersing said surface in a solution selected to be capable of supporting redox processes with said surface; positioning a tip of a working electrode in said solution proximate said surface at a distance of 1 nm to 10 microns; connecting a controllable electric potential between said tip and said material; setting said electric potential to produce an electrochemical reaction carried by said redox processes immediate said working tip, said reaction generating a current through said tip; maintaining a substantially constant faradaic current level in said working tip; maintaining a substantially constant voltage level at said working tip; moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface and proximal to a plurality of points in a reference plane wherein said plurality of points comprises points proximal and surface; varying the distance of said working tip from said reference plane at each point of said plurality of pints to maintain a substantially constant current level; and measuring said distances of said working tip from said reference plane wherein said measured distances form an image determining said contour of said surface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said material is a conductive material.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said material is a semiconductive material. PG,67
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said varying step further comprises measuring a control signal controlling the position of said working electrode relative to said surface at each point of said plurality of points.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
222 words
A method of determining a contour of a surface of a material comprising the steps of: immersing said surface in a solution selected to be capable of supporting redox processes with said surface; positioning a tip of a working electrode in said solution proximate said surface at a distance of 1 nm to 10 microns; positioning a tip of an auxiliary electrode in said solution in distal relation to said working electrode; connecting a controllable electric potential between said working electrode and said auxiliary electrode; setting said electric potential to produce an electrochemical reaction carried by said redox processes immediate said working tip, said reactions generating a current through said tip; maintaining a substantially constant faradaic current level in said working tip; maintaining a substantially constant voltage level at said working tip; moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface and proximal to a plurality of points in a reference plane at a distance of 1 nm to 10 wherein said plurality of points comprises points proximal said surface; varying the distance of said working tip from said reference plane at each point of said plurality of points to maintain a substantially constant faradaic current level; and measuring said distances of said working tip from said reference plane wherein said measured distances form an image determining said contour of said surface.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
222 words
A method of determining a contour of a surface of a material comprising the steps of: immersing said surface in a solution selected to be capable of supporting redox processes with said surface; positioning a tip of a working electrode in said solution proximate said surface at a distance of 1 nm to 10 microns; positioning a tip of an auxiliary electrode in said solution in distal relation to said working electrode; connecting a controllable electric potential between said working electrode and said auxiliary electrode; setting said electric potential to produce an electrochemical reaction carried by said redox processes immediate said working tip, said reactions generating a current through said tip; maintaining a substantially constant faradaic current level in said working tip; maintaining a substantially constant voltage level at said working tip; moving said working electrode tip relative to said surface and proximal to a plurality of points in a reference plane at a distance of 1 nm to 10 wherein said plurality of points comprises points proximal said surface; varying the distance of said working tip from said reference plane at each point of said plurality of points to maintain a substantially constant faradaic current level; and measuring said distances of said working tip from said reference plane wherein said measured distances form an image determining said contour of said surface.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 40 further comprising a step of positioning a tip of a reference electrode in said solution near said working electrode tip and measuring an electric potential of said working electrode with respect to said reference electrode.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 40 wherein said material is electrically insulative material.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 40 wherein said material is electrically semiconductive material.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 40 wherein said material is electrically conductive material.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 40 wherein said varying step further comprises measuring a control signal controlling the position of said working electrode relative to said surface at each point of said plurality of points.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-04-12 | 1996-10-12 | 1997-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-12 | 2000-10-12 | 2001-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-12 | 2004-10-12 | 2005-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |