Theoretical and experimental investigation of the force-distance relation for an atomic force microscope with a pyramidal tip

The van der Weals force is calculated between the atomic force microscope t ip modelled by a truncated pyramid with a spherical apex and a plane plate. The force-distance relation obtained is verified experimentally. Microscop ic images of the tip in use show the good agreement with the proposed theor etical model. The root mean square deviation between the calculated and obs erved forces is less than 10% at the smallest tip-sample distance. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.