A new constant-distance imaging method based on the relationship between ti
p impedance and tip-substrate separation has been developed for the scannin
g electrochemical microscope. The tip impedance is monitored by application
of a high-frequency ac voltage bias between the tip and auxiliary electrod
e. The high-frequency ac current is easily separated from the dc-level fara
daic electrochemistry with a simple RC filter, which allows impedance measu
rements during feedback or generation/collection experiments. By employing
a piezo-based feedback controller, we are able to maintain the impedance at
a constant value and, thus, maintain a constant tip-substrate separation.
Application of the method to feedback and generation/collection experiments
with tip electrodes as small as 2 mum is presented.