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We find that the jump-into-contact of the cantilever in the atomic force microscope (AFM) is caused by an inherent instability in the motion of the AFM cantilever. The analysis is based on a simple model of the cantilever moving in a…
The atomic force microscope (AFM) is a versatile, high-resolution tool used to characterize the topography and material properties of a large variety of specimens at nano-scale. The interaction of the micro-cantilever tip with the specimen…
Particle contamination of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photomasks is one of the numerous challenges in nanoscale semiconductor fabrication, since it can lead to systematic device failures when disturbed patterns are projected repeatedly onto…
The characteristic tip_substrate capacitance is crucial for understanding the localized electrical properties in atomic force microscopy (AFM). Since it is highly dependent on tip geometrical features, estimation of the tip_substrate…
Tapping mode atomic force microscopy is a standard technique for inspection and analysis at the nanometer scale. The understanding of the non-linear dynamics of the system due to the tip sample interaction is an important prerequisite for a…
While the fundamental limit on the resolution achieved in an atomic force microscope (AFM) is clearly related to the tip radius, the fact that the tip can creep and/or wear during an experiment is often ignored. This is mainly due to the…
Noncontact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) have become important tools for nanotechnology; however, their contrast mechanisms on the atomic scale are not entirely understood. Here we used chlorine…
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) methods utilizing resonant mechanical vibrations of cantilevers in contact with a sample surface have shown sensitivities as high as few picometers for detecting surface displacements. Such a high sensitivity…
In atomic force microscopy (AFM), the angle relative to the vertical ($\theta_{i}$) that the tip apex of a cantilever moves is determined by the tilt of the probe holder and the geometries of the cantilever and actuated eigenmode $i$. Even…
Various methods of force measurement with the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) are compared for their ability to accurately determine the tip-surface force from analysis of the nonlinear cantilever motion. It is explained how intermodulation,…
Direct time-varying tip-sample force measurements by torsional harmonic cantilevers facilitate detailed investigations of the cantilever dynamics in tapping-mode atomic force microscopy. Here we report experimental evidence that the…
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) with molecule-functionalized tips has emerged as the primary experimental technique for probing the atomic structure of organic molecules on surfaces. Most experiments have been limited to nearly planar…
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a mechanical profiling technique that allows to image surfaces with atomic resolution. Recent progress in reducing the noise of this technique has led to a resolution level where previously undetectable…
This paper is a theoretical and a numerical investigation of the stability of a tip-cantilever system used in Non-Contact Atomic Force Microscopy (NC-AFM) when it oscillates close to a surface. No additional dissipative force is considered.…
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful tool to investigate interaction forces at the micro and nanoscale. Cantilever stiffness, dimensions and geometry of the tip can be chosen according to the requirements of the specific application,…
Conventional dynamic atomic force microscopy (AFM) can be extended to bimodal and multimodal AFM in which the cantilever is simultaneously excited at two ore more resonance frequencies. Such excitation schemes result in one additional…
Tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM), also known as amplitude modulated (AM) or AC mode, is a proven, reliable and gentle imaging mode with widespread applications. Over the several decades that tapping mode has been in use,…
We discuss the influence of external forces on the motion of the tip in dynamic atomic force microscopy (AFM). First, a compact solution for the steady-state problem is derived employing a Fourier approach. Founding on this solution, we…
Mechanical properties of biological samples have been imaged with a \textit{Force Feedback Microscope}. Force, force gradient and dissipation are measured simultaneously and quantitatively, merely knowing the AFM cantilever spring constant.…
Sub-nm resolution images can be achieved by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) on samples that are deposited on hard substrates. However, it is still extremely challenging to image soft interfaces, such as biological membranes, due to the…