Figure 1.

Time series of DOPC bilayer formation. Four separate samples of DOPC bilayers on mica were prepared that were incubated for (A) 5min; (B) 10min; (C) 17min and (D) 20min. Below each image is an illustration of the state of the lipid coverage across the mica surface. The time series experiment is a good way of determining that a complete single bilayer covers the mica surface. Without doing the time series experiment, it is very difficult to distinguish a complete single bilayer from multilayer or even bare mica. In addition, when faced with a DOPC sample with partial patchy coverage, it is a simple task to prepare a new sample with a slightly increased incubation time that will result in continuous coverage. All images were taken in pure water at room temperature.