METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IN-SITU INVESTIGATIONS WITH THE SCANNING FORCE MICROSCOPE

Various methods of carrying out time resolved in situ monitoring of cr ystallization processes with the scanning force microscope (SFM) were tested and improved. First investigations, taking place in static liqu ids, were performed in a simple cup sample holder and in the liquid ce ll supplied by the manufacturers of the SFM. Continuous flow condition s were, realized with a new recirculating flow system, which in additi on allows temperature control. The different apparative approaches wer e tested with lab-grown crystals of L-ascorbic acid and lithium fluori de, as well as freshly cleaved fragments of the naturally occurring mi neral calcite.