Systematic Multidimensional Quantification of Nanoscale Systems From Bimodal Atomic Force Microscopy Data

Abstract

Here we explore the raw parameter space in air in bimodal atomic force microscopy (AFM) in order to enhance resolution, provide multiparameter maps, and produce suitable transformations that lead to physically intuitive maps general enough to be recognized by the broader community, i.e., stiffness, Hamaker constant, and adhesion force. We further consider model free transforms to enhance the raw parameter space in the form of alternative and more intelligible contrast maps. We employ highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, calcite, polypropylene, and dsDNA on mica to demonstrate a systematic form of parameter expansion. The proposed methodology to enhance and interpret a larger parameter space introduces a methodology to tractable multidimensional AFM from raw bimodal AFM maps.

Nanomechanical mapping of soft materials with the atomic force microscope: methods, theory and applications

“…20,32,211 The use of two modes allows the determinations of several material properties such as topography, deformation, dissipation, elastic modulus, viscosity coefficients or long-range interaction parameters in a single imaging step. 86,[211][212][213][214][215][216] Most bimodal experiments are performed by using the first two flexural modes 20 of the cantilever, however, other eigenmodes either flexural 217 or a combination of flexural and torsional modes have been used. [218][219][220] In bimodal AFM, the tip's motion is decomposed in terms of the components oscillating at the frequencies of the excited modes 214,221 (Fig.…”

Fast, quantitative and high resolution mapping of viscoelastic properties with bimodal AFM

“…1,6,8,[16][17][18][19][20][21] Bimodal AFM provides a very fast, high resolution and accurate method to map the elastic properties of polymers and biomolecules. 22,23 It has been applied to determine with very high spatial resolution the elastic modulus of a large variety of materials and macromolecules such as antibodies 24 and other proteins, [25][26][27] DNA, 28,29 cells, 30,31 bone microconstituents, 32 lipid bilayers, 33,34 self-assembled monolayers, 35,36 2D materials 37 or organic semiconductor devices. 38 This technique can be operated in air or liquid.…”

Different directional energy dissipation of heterogeneous polymers in bimodal atomic force microscopy

“…In recent years, dynamic force microscopy (DFM) has become a multifunctional and universal technique for the application of micro-nanoscale imaging and force detection, including topography imaging, and measuring modulus of elasticity, viscoelastic properties and other physical properties in the microscale and nanoscale worlds. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] The new techniques in the DFM eld, such as bimodal [8][9][10][11] or higher modes, [12][13][14] multifrequency AFM, [15][16][17] and intermodulation method, [18][19][20] have complemented the traditional amplitude modulation mode and can obtain high resolution images of heterogeneous materials, cells or DNA. 21 In bimodal mode, the cantilever is oen excited by the rst and second exural resonance frequencies simultaneously.…”