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Title: Full data acquisition in Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy: Mapping dynamic electric phenomena in real space

Journal Article · · Scientific Reports
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/srep30557· OSTI ID:1295108

Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) has provided deep insights into the role local electronic, ionic and electrochemical processes play on the global functionality of materials and devices, even down to the atomic scale. Conventional KPFM utilizes heterodyne detection and bias feedback to measure the contact potential difference (CPD) between tip and sample. This measurement paradigm, however, permits only partial recovery of the information encoded in bias- and time-dependent electrostatic interactions between the tip and sample and effectively down-samples the cantilever response to a single measurement of CPD per pixel. This level of detail is insufficient for electroactive materials, devices, or solid-liquid interfaces, where non-linear dielectrics are present or spurious electrostatic events are possible. Here, we simulate and experimentally validate a novel approach for spatially resolved KPFM capable of a full information transfer of the dynamic electric processes occurring between tip and sample. General acquisition mode, or G-Mode, adopts a big data approach utilising high speed detection, compression, and storage of the raw cantilever deflection signal in its entirety at high sampling rates (> 4 MHz), providing a permanent record of the tip trajectory. We develop a range of methodologies for analysing the resultant large multidimensional datasets involving classical, physics-based and information-based approaches. Physics-based analysis of G-Mode KPFM data recovers the parabolic bias dependence of the electrostatic force for each cycle of the excitation voltage, leading to a multidimensional dataset containing spatial and temporal dependence of the CPD and capacitance channels. We use multivariate statistical methods to reduce data volume and separate the complex multidimensional data sets into statistically significant components that can then be mapped onto separate physical mechanisms. Overall, G-Mode KPFM offers a new paradigm to study dynamic electric phenomena in electroactive interfaces as well as offer a promising approach to extend KPFM to solid-liquid interfaces.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1295108
Journal Information:
Scientific Reports, Vol. 6; ISSN 2045-2322
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 42 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (16)

Ultrafast current imaging by Bayesian inversion journal February 2018
Recent advances in hybrid measurement methods based on atomic force microscopy and surface sensitive measurement techniques journal January 2017
Nanoscale dipole dynamics of protein membranes studied by broadband dielectric microscopy journal January 2019
Quantitative comparison of closed-loop and dual harmonic Kelvin probe force microscopy techniques journal December 2018
Effect of epitaxial strain and vacancies on the ferroelectric-like response of CaTiO 3 thin films journal October 2018
Time resolved surface photovoltage measurements using a big data capture approach to KPFM journal September 2018
Towards nanoscale electrical measurements in liquid by advanced KPFM techniques: a review journal July 2018
Production and processing of graphene and related materials journal January 2020
Mapping intrinsic electromechanical responses at the nanoscale via sequential excitation scanning probe microscopy empowered by deep data journal September 2018
Deep data analysis via physically constrained linear unmixing: universal framework, domain examples, and a community-wide platform journal April 2018
Materials science in the artificial intelligence age: high-throughput library generation, machine learning, and a pathway from correlations to the underpinning physics journal July 2019
Production and processing of graphene and related materials text January 2020
Production and processing of graphene and related materials text January 2020
Mapping Intrinsic Electromechanical Responses at the Nanoscale via Sequential Excitation Scanning Probe Microscopy Empowered by Deep Data text January 2018
Rapid mapping of polarization switching through complete information acquisition journal December 2016
Mapping fast evolution of transient surface photovoltage dynamics using G-Mode Kelvin probe force microscopy preprint January 2018

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