Friction Force Microscopy of Langmuir-Blodgett Films

In friction force microscopy both lateral and normal deflections of a cantilever-type spring are simultaneously monitored. Measurements on microfabricated structures and on mica demonstrate the performance of the instrument on the micron scale and on the atomic scale. Langmuir-Blodgett films are well-known for their exceptional tribological properties. Multilayers of Cd-arachidate are investigated. Lubrication is observed on the microscopic scale.