Acoustic waves investigation in solids by atomic force microscopy

In this study we present a novel method to investigate the acoustic and surface vibrations by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The piezoelectric plate vibrations were investigated in the frequency range 10-120 kHz. The investigations were carried out by contact and non-contact modes on surfaces both coated and not by thin metal films. The experimental results show the possibility of measuring vibration amplitude and electric field distribution. A strong interaction was observed between the tip and vibrating piezoelectric plate electric field. The possibility of controling the tip-surface adhesion by vibrations are shown here. The resonant tangential vibrations decreased tip-surface adhesion from 120 nN to zero. The vibrations have shown a weak influence on the measured surface image, at the same time as the average tip position shift was observed