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Molecular-level In-situ Optical Observation of Ice Crystal Surfaces
Development of an optical microscope with atomic height resolution and in-situ observation of ice crystal surfaces
In collaboration with Olympus Engineering Corporation, we have developed an optical microscope that has atomic resolution in the height direction. We are now studying mechanisms of the growth, sublimation, and melting of ice crystals at the molecular level.
Research
Crystals bounded by flat surfaces grow layer by layer, irrespective of materials. Therefore, to clarify the mechanisms and kinetics of crystal growth, we need to directly observe the behavior of growing ends of molecular layers (commonly called “elementary step”). However, atomic force microscopes and electron microscopes, both of which are generally used to observe solid surfaces at the molecular level, cannot be used to observe ice crystals. To overcome this difficulty, we have developed an optical microscope that can directly visualize elementary steps with the atomic/molecular height on a flat crystal surface in a non-contact, non-destructive manner. Using this microscope, we are now working on clarifying the growth mechanisms of ice crystals and the melting of ice crystal surfaces at sub-zero temperatures (called “surface melting”) at the molecular level. In addition to ice crystals, we are also conducting a wide range of research to investigate crystal surfaces at the atomic/molecular height levels.
Gen Sazaki Professor -
Open Facility
From “ownership” to “sharing” of facilities
This is a sharing system of facilities to improve the level of research at Hokkaido University and in the region by opening the University’s advanced research facilities to researchers in- and outside the university for shared use.
Research
About 200 research instruments have been registered in the Open Facility. Users who have attended a training course on their use can use the most advanced instruments by paying a usage fee. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable staff will also kindly provide advice on the operation of the instruments and respond to technical questions.
Reservations for the use of the instruments are accepted 24 hours a day via the web page “Instrument Reservation Management System.”
Please contact us about instruments you would like to use by filling out the form on our website.Global Facility Center
