Microstructured substrates for counting bacteria formed by ion implantation

A novel technological approach based on ion implantation for obtaining nanostructured substrates for the visual characterization of ultrasmall biological objects and microorganisms has been described. By means of argon-ion implantation of silicate glasses through surface masks made of copper wire mesh, periodic microstructures in the form of gratings with mesh sizes of 50 $\times$ 50 $\mu$m were formed. The novel substrates were tested by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, as well as atomic force microscopy, using bacteria of the genera Bacillus and Staphylococcus deposited onto their surface.