Modification of gold surfaces with low temperature scanning tunneling microscope

Modifications of gold surfaces with either constant-height mode rectangular voltage pulses or constant-current mode triangular voltage pulses were carried out using a scanning tunneling microscope at various temperatures. Wrinkles were found near the structures created by applying positive triangular pulses to the surface. The size of the structures created by the triangular pulses was more sensitive to temperature while they were being created than those created by the rectangular pulses. It is believed that field evaporation is the mechanism for constant-current triangular pulse modification. Necking between tip and sample is suggested for constant-height rectangular pulse modification. We have also tried to use tunneling spectroscopy to characterize the transferred material after modification.