High Resolution Imaging, Spectroscopy and Nuclear Quantum Effects of Interfacial Water

The thesis introduces innovative experimental techniques utilizing scanning probe microscopy to explore proton behavior in both real and energy spaces. It enables the visualization of quantum tunneling of protons in hydrogen-bonded networks and quantifies the quantum aspects of hydrogen bonds at water-solid interfaces. Additionally, it reveals how anharmonic quantum fluctuations influence the strength of hydrogen bonds, providing new insights into their molecular dynamics and interactions with the local environment. These findings significantly enhance the understanding of hydrogen bonds at the quantum level.