Application of non-contact scanning force microscopy to the study of wateradsorption on graphite, gold and mica

The tip of an oscillating cantilever experiences a strong variation of ener gy dissipation with the distance just before contacting the surface. This a llows scanning force microscopy (SFM) imaging in non-contact mode with high resolution. The potential of this mode is demonstrated by the study of an extremely soft and easily detachable sample such as water adsorbed on graph ite, gold and mica substrates. Flat layers of water, ranging in height from molecular dimensions to several bilayers, are observed on the different su rfaces studied. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.