High Resolution Electromechanical Imaging of Ferroelectric Materials in a Liquid Environment by Piezoresponse Force Microscopy
- ORNL
High-resolution imaging of ferroelectric materials using piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) is demonstrated in an aqueous environment. The elimination of both long-range electrostatic forces and capillary interactions results in a localization of the ac field to the tip-surface junction and allows the tip-surface contact area to be controlled. This approach results in spatial resolutions approaching the limit of the intrinsic domain-wall width. Imaging at frequencies corresponding to high-order cantilever resonances minimizes the viscous damping and added mass effects on cantilever dynamics and allows sensitivities comparable to ambient conditions. PFM in liquids will provide novel opportunities for high-resolution studies of ferroelectric materials, imaging of soft polymer materials, and imaging of biological systems in physiological environments on, ultimately, the molecular level.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- ORNL LDRD Seed-Money
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 1001698
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 96; ISSN 1079-7114; ISSN 0031-9007
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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