Schematic illustration of Friction Force Microscopy (FFM). The AFM cantilever, a small diving board-like structure about 200 micrometers long, 50 micrometers wide, and 1 micrometer thick, has a sharp ...

It works by scanning a sharp tip attached to a flexible cantilever over a sample surface. The deflection of the cantilever due to the interaction forces between the tip and the sample is measured ...