A new model for electric force microscopy and its application for electrostatically generated phase difference in tapping mode AFM

Abstract

The harmonic force balance method was used to model and simulate electric force microscopy (EFM) and electrostatically generated phase difference in tapping mode AFM (EPTA) measurements. Simulations show that the harmonic force balance approach matches and explains EFM and EPTA experimental results well. Simulations also show that the model depended on both geometric and materials parameters. The harmonic force balance model was subsequently used to directly simulate a previously performed EPTA experiment. Data obtained from the model showed a remarkable similarity to the experimentally obtained data, thus validating the use of the harmonic force balance model to simulate EPTA data.