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Soft sample deformation, damage and induced electromechanical property changes in contact- and tapping-mode atomic force microscopy

Journal Article · · Surface Topography: Metrology and Properties (Online)
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2]
  1. George Washington Univ., Washington, DC (United States); The George Washington University
  2. George Washington Univ., Washington, DC (United States)

Probe-induced soft sample damage in atomic force microscopy (AFM), as well as the resulting alteration of local mechanical and electrical properties of the material are explored, specifically comparing contact-mode and intermittent-contact-mode imaging methods. In our experiments, performed on conductive polymer films, induced changes are present in contact-mode imaging while they are negligible or absent in tapping-mode imaging. Here, to understand this result, a viscoelastic parameter extraction is performed, which suggests that permanent sample deformation can readily occur for tip-sample interactions with a duration on the timescale of contact-mode interactions. Using the extracted viscoelastic parameters, a dynamic AFM simulation is conducted, which suggests that the material responds more elastically with reduced or absent sample damage in tapping-mode AFM, due to the higher rate of mechanical deformation and shorter timescales.

Research Organization:
George Washington Univ., Washington, DC (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0018041
OSTI ID:
1696774
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 23023419
Journal Information:
Surface Topography: Metrology and Properties (Online), Journal Name: Surface Topography: Metrology and Properties (Online) Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 8; ISSN 2051-672X
Publisher:
IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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