ABSTRACT
A force measurement by AFM includes approaching the tip to the sample surface, touching and deforming the sample, and nally retracting the tip. e forces measured during such a cycle give insights into the details of the interaction between tip and sample. is includes dissipative contributions such as viscous deformation or adhesion, elastic material properties, and magnetic or electrical properties. e test cycle is referred to as “approach-retract curve,” “force-distance curve,” or simply “nanoindentation.” It is a typical AFM experiment because it relates measured forces with distance.
