Determination of displacements in ultrasonic waves by scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract

A method for the determination of the displacements in ultrasonic waves on surfaces of solids is presented. The technique is based on the scanning tunneling microscope and the measurements are performed in real space. The design of a low-temperature microscope capable of operating at liquid-helium temperature is shown. A simple theory is given, which describes the observations in a satisfactory way.