Sharif Digital Repository

Models capable of accurate simulation of microcantilever dynamics coupled with complex tip-sample interactions are essential for interpretation and prediction of the imaging results in amplitude modulation or tapping-mode atomic-force microscopy (AM-AFM or TM-AFM). In this paper, four approaches based on combinations of lumped and finite element methods for modelling of cantilever dynamics, and van derWaals and molecular dynamics for modelling of tip-sample interactions, are used to simulate the precise imaging by AM-AFM. Based on the simulated imaging and force determination, the efficiency of different modelling schemes is evaluated. This comparison is performed considering their... 

Models capable of accurate simulation of the microcantilever dynamics coupled with complex tip-sample interactions are essential for interpretation of the imaging results in non-contact atomic force microscopy (AFM). In the present research, a combination of finite element and molecular dynamics methods are used for modelling the AFM system to overcome the drawbacks of conventional approaches that use a lumped system with van der Waals interaction. To illustrate the ability of the proposed scheme in providing images with atomic resolution, some simulations have been performed. In the conducted simulations, a diamond tip is interacting with nickel samples having different surface plane...