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Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilever-Based Nanoindentation: Mechanical Property Measurements at the Nanoscale in Air and Fluid
Published on: December 2, 2022
Note: Thermal analog to atomic force microscopy force-displacement measurements for nanoscale interfacial contact
Brian D Iverson1, John E Blendell, Suresh V Garimella
1Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA.
Abstract:
Thermal diffusion measurements on polymethylmethacrylate-coated Si substrates using heated atomic force microscopy tips were performed to determine the contact resistance between an organic thin film and Si. The measurement methodology presented demonstrates how the thermal contrast signal obtained during a force-displacement ramp is used to quantify the resistance to heat transfer through an internal interface. The results also delineate the interrogation thickness beyond which thermal diffusion in the organic thin film is not affected appreciably by the underlying substrate.

