Slow dynamics in atomic-force microscopy - art. no. 193406

A temporal-hybrid molecular simulation method is proposed to simulate the s low-scanning dynamics of a cantilever in the atomic-force microscope (AFM). The method is compared with classical molecular-dynamics simulation in whi ch energy modes between the cantilever and the atomic substrate are coupled . For a large-mass cantilever in AFM with a resonant frequency far less tha n the atomic-vibration frequencies, the hybrid results show regular stick-s lip or smooth friction dissipation depending on the cantilever spring const ants, as observed in AFM experiments.