Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using an atomic force microscope comprising exciting natural lower and higher vibration modes of a microlever (M) placed on a sample, and analyzing the variation of one variable of a first output signal (Ai cos(?it??i)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the lower mode, with respect to the variation of a parameter influenced by one variable of a second output signal (Aj cos(?jt??j)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the higher mode, and/or analyzing the variation of one variable of a second output signal (Aj cos(?jt??j)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the higher mode, with respect to the variation of a parameter influenced by one variable of a first output signal (Ai cos(?it??i)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the lower mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of using an atomic force microscope and to a microscope. The inventive method comprises the following steps consisting in at least performing bimodal excitation of a microlever (M) which is disposed on a sample and analysing at least: the variation in the oscillation amplitude (Ai) of an output signal (Ai cos(?it??i)) that is representative of the response from the microlever (M) to the excitation of one of the natural vibration modes thereof, in order to obtain topographic information in relation to the sample; and to the variation in the phase (?j) of an output signal (Aj cos(?jt??j)) that is representative of the response from the microlever (M) to the excitation of another natural vibration mode thereof, in order to obtain compositional information in relation to the sample. The inventive microscope is adapted to be used with the aforementioned method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using an atomic force microscope comprising exciting natural lower and higher vibration modes of a microlever (M) placed on a sample, and analyzing the variation of one variable of a first output signal (Ai cos(?it??i)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the lower mode, with respect to the variation of a parameter influenced by one variable of a second output signal (Aj cos(?jt??j)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the higher mode, and/or analyzing the variation of one variable of a second output signal (Aj cos(?jt??j)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the higher mode, with respect to the variation of a parameter influenced by one variable of a first output signal (Ai cos(?it??i)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the lower mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of using an atomic force microscope and to a microscope. The inventive method comprises the following steps consisting in at least performing bimodal excitation of a microlever (M) which is disposed on a sample and analysing at least: the variation in the oscillation amplitude (Ai) of an output signal (Ai cos(?it??i)) that is representative of the response from the microlever (M) to the excitation of one of the natural vibration modes thereof, in order to obtain topographic information in relation to the sample; and to the variation in the phase (?j) of an output signal (Aj cos(?jt??j)) that is representative of the response from the microlever (M) to the excitation of another natural vibration mode thereof, in order to obtain compositional information in relation to the sample. The inventive microscope is adapted to be used with the aforementioned method.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of controlling the spatial distribution, shape and size of films of conjugated organic molecules that can be used to grow single layers of organic molecules on silicon oxide nanostructures. The silicon oxide nanostructures are produced using an anodic oxidation process. The organisation of the molecules on the oxide nanostructures is dependent on the kinetic parameters of the latter (evaporation rate, diffusion coefficient) and on the interactions with the silicon (anodic) oxide regions. The molecules form domains which exactly reproduce the lateral size and the shape of the oxide nanostructures. The invention provides a powerful method of performing a bottom-up construction of wires, electrodes and charge transfer zones in nanoscale devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling the spatial distribution, shape and size of films of conjugated organic molecules. The inventive method can be used to grow single layers of organic molecules on silicon oxide nanostructures. The silicon oxide nanostructures are produced using an anodic oxidation process. The organisation of the molecules on the oxide nanostructures is dependent on the kinetic parameters of the latter (evaporation rate, diffusion coefficient) and on the interactions with the silicon (anodic) oxide regions. The molecules form domains which exactly reproduce the lateral size and the shape of the oxide nanostructures. The invention provides a powerful method of performing a bottom-up construction of wires, electrodes and charge transfer zones in nanoscale devices.