Researchers solve complex structure of the Al2O3 surface

Researchers at TU Wien and the University of Vienna have now solved the complex structure of the Al2O3 surface, a puzzle listed in 1997 as one of the “Three mysteries of surface science”. The research team used noncontact atomic force microscopy (ncAFM) to analyze the surface structure. This method generates images of the surface structure by scanning a sharp tip mounted on a quartz tuning fork at a close distance from the surface. The frequency of the tuning fork changes as the tip interacts with the atoms on the surface without touching the material.