Microstructured Substrates for Counting Bacteria Formed by Ion Implantation Through a Mask

In the present work, a novel technological approach based on ion implantation for obtaining microstructured substrates for the statistical analysis and visual characterization of ultra-small biological objects and microorganisms is developed. By means of the argon-ion implantation of silicate glasses through surface masks made of wire mesh, periodic surface nanostructures in the form of gratings with mesh sizes of 500 × 500 nm are formed. The obtained novel substrates are tested using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive analysis using bacteria of the genus Bacillus deposited onto their surface.