Effect of Atomic Force on the Surface Corrugation of 2H-NbSe2Observed by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Abstract
Anomalously large surface corrugation of 2H-NbSe2crystal was observed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Besides mounds representing the Se atoms, hollow sites and Nb-atom sites clearly appeared as dips and saddle points, respectively. The lateral resolution was proved to be better than 0.2 nm. The large corrugation amplitude was attributed to the effect of atomic force between the tip and the sample.