Werner A. Hofer

Within nanoscience, an emerging discipline is the study of the physics and chemistry of single molecules. Molecules may be considered as the ultimate building blocks, and are therefore interesting for the development of molecular devices and for surface functionalization. Thus, it is interesting to study their properties when adsorbed on a suitable substrate such as a solid or crystal surface, and also for their potential applications in nano- or molecular-electronics and nanosensing. Investigations have been made possible by the advent of high resolution surface imaging and characterization techniques, commonly referred to as Scanning Probe Microscopes.This book focuses on the fascinating properties of the single molecules, and the difference between single molecules and ensembles of molecules is emphasized. As the first book intended for graduate courses in the field, after each chapter, students should be able to answer the question: “What physical or chemical properties do you learn from a single molecule in this particular context?” Contributed by experts across the disciplines, the book provides useful reference material for specialized practitioners in surface science, nanoscience and nanoelectronics.

Scanning Probe Microscopy is a comprehensive source of information for researchers, teachers, and graduate students about the rapidly expanding field of scanning probe theory. Writing in a tutorial style, the authors explain from scratch the theory behind today’s simulation techniques and give examples of theoretical concepts through state-of-the-art simulations, including the means to compare these results with experimental data. The book provides the first comprehensive framework for electron transport theory with its various degrees of approximations, thus allowing extensive insight into the physics of scanning probes. Experimentalists will appreciate how the materials properties influence the instrument's operation, and theorists will understand how simulations can be directly compared to experimental data. Key Features Serves as a comprehensive source of information for researchers, teachers, and students about the theory underlying the rapidly expanding field of scanning probe microscopyProvides a framework for linking scanning probe theory and simulations with experimental dataWritten in the style of a textbook with step-by-step examples of how theoretical concepts are used to generate state-of-the-art simulations

Scanning Probe Microscopy is a comprehensive source of information for researchers, teachers, and graduate students about the rapidly expanding field of scanning probe theory. Writing in a tutorial style, the authors explain from scratch the theory behind today’s simulation techniques and give examples of theoretical concepts through state-of-the-art simulations, including the means to compare these results with experimental data. The book provides the first comprehensive framework for electron transport theory with its various degrees of approximations, thus allowing extensive insight into the physics of scanning probes. Experimentalists will appreciate how the materials properties influence the instrument's operation, and theorists will understand how simulations can be directly compared to experimental data. Key Features Serves as a comprehensive source of information for researchers, teachers, and students about the theory underlying the rapidly expanding field of scanning probe microscopyProvides a framework for linking scanning probe theory and simulations with experimental dataWritten in the style of a textbook with step-by-step examples of how theoretical concepts are used to generate state-of-the-art simulations