TECHNOLOGIES
ENERGY HEAT EXCHANGE IN THE ZONE OF CONTACT OF THE PROBE OF AN ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE WITH THE SURFACE UNDER STUDY
The article studies the mechanisms of energy exchange and transformations, which occur in a measuring instrument (probe) of an atomic force microscope (AFM) in the process of studying solid surfaces of materials. Mathematical modeling of the heating process of individual elements of the measuring unit of the atomic force microscope at the preparatory, final stages and the scanning stage of the surface under study was carried out. At the same time, such energy components of the processes occurring in the AFM control unit were taken into account. By minimizing the factors (heat dissipation due to friction of the probe on the surface), which negatively affect both the results of the monitoring and the condition of the probe and the surface, stable operation modes of the AFM are established. The solution of the equivalent thermal scheme of an atomic force microscope is presented, which confirms the adequacy of the mathematical models obtained.