Surface resistivity estimation by scanning surface potential microscopy

Nickel was sputter deposited on a glass with a thin film thickness of 600 nm under either in an argon atmosphere or under a partial pressure of nitrogen of either 1.3 x 10(-4) or 4 x 10(-4) mbar. Atomic force microscopy and scanning surface potential microscopy (SSPM) were used to study the morphology and to estimate the surface resistivity of the obtained Ni thin films taking into account surface-roughness effects. For the three samples investigated, the surface resistivity values as estimated using SSPM were in good agreement with the results obtained by standard four-point probe measurements.