SCANNING FORCE MICROSCOPE AND VACUUM CHAMBER FOR THE STUDY OF ICE FILMS - DESIGN AND FIRST RESULTS

We present the design of a scanning force microscope and vacuum chambe r for the growth and imaging of ice films in thermodynamic equilibrium and under controlled super or undersaturation. The apparatus allows m easurements in the temperature range from -60 to +80 degrees C in a co ntrolled water vapor atmosphere. First results on the morphology and t he frictional properties of thin ice films on mica cleavage faces are presented. The films are found to grow in a two-dimensional manner, of ten exhibiting dendritic growth shapes. The lateral force measured on ice is higher than that observed on the surrounding substrate. (C) 199 8 American Institute of Physics. [S0034-6748(98)05804-3].