SIMULATION OF ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY IMAGE VARIATIONS DUE TO TIP APEX SIZE - APPEARANCE OF HALF SPOTS

Using a recently developed atomic force microscopy (AFM) simulator ACC ESS (AFM simulation Code for Calculating and Evaluating Surface Struct ures), effects of tip apex size on AFM images were examined. A metal t ip-metal sample system consisting of iron tip and copper sample was em ployed as a model system. Structures with half the surface periodicity , which have been observed in actual AFM measurements, were observed a t certain tip apex registries. Conditions for their appearances were e xamined.