[M.sup.3] IMAGES CRYSTAL LATTICE.

For the first time, the Molecular Measuring Machine ([M.sup.3]) probe has successfully resolved the periodicity of a crystal lattice. The crystal that was imaged is an organic, electrically conductive crystal called (TEET) [[Ni[(dmit).sub.2]].sub.2]. It is triclinic, with lattice spacing for the basal plane of 1.02 nm and 0.75 nm and with a 1.67 nm step height as determined by x-ray crystallography. With the [M.sup.3], NIST researchers have been able to image the step and to resolve the 1.02 nm periodicity. The step height can be compared to the capacitance gage built into the Z motion axis of the scanning tunneling microscope probe; and the surface period can be compared to the interferometer-measured position data that were simultaneously acquired. This is an important step toward the longtime goal of validating the [M.sup.3] metrology system against a known crystal lattice.