Advanced Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM)

Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) is one of the essential electrical modes in scanning probe microscopy. It is measuring a fundamental physical property of materials – a surface potential.

Unlike many other modes, where the extraction of quantitative data is subject to various, often complex calibration routines, quantification of a KPFM measurement is rather straightforward – difference between the surface potentials of a scanning probe and the sample is measured in volts. This voltage is often called a contact potential difference (CPD), and in case of metals, it is equal to the difference in work functions between the tip and the sample materials.

Thunmbnail-Advanced-KPFM