Small amplitude atomic force spectroscopy

Abstract

Over the years atomic force microscopy has developed from a pure imaging technique to a tool that can be employed for measuring quantitative tip-sample interaction forces. In this chapter we provide an overview of various techniques to extract quantitative tip-sample forces focusing on both amplitude modulation and frequency modulation atomic force spectroscopy (AM-AFS and FM-AFS) in the small amplitude regime. We discuss different actuation methods, such as sample modulation, magnetic actuation, and by far the most widely used acoustic driving. Also the corresponding force-inversion methodology is discussed for - in particular - ambient liquid.