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These measurements were done on the standard
sample holder. Pointprobe Sensors from Nanosurf were used without special damping. Half the tip apex
angle is 20-25°.
Topographical Image of Ceramics and Gold Film
The topographical image in Figure 1 was
taken at the step between the ceramics and the gold film. (left square ceramics,
right square gold). In the section (taken along the black arrow in the
topographical image) no step is evident. The distance between the lowest and the
highest value is approx. 300 nm.
Figure 1. Ceramic grains between 2-4 m in size can be seen. With AFM it's easy
to study the form of the individual ceramic grains. On the left ceramic grains
are clearly visible. On the right the grains of the ceramics can still be be
made out through the gold film. 40x40µm image, z-range: 300nm and the
corresponding cross section.
Surface
Roughness
The surface roughness of the whole surface,
inset left and inset right is revealed as 43nm, 36nm, 55nm, respectively. Thus
we can see that the surface roughness of the gold film is 50% higher than the
uncovered ceramics. The step height can not be measured because the ceramics is
too rough.
Grain Size
Ceramic Al2O3 grains between 2-4µm in size can be
seen. With AFM it's easy to study the form of the individual ceramic grains. On
the left ceramic grains are clearly visible. On the right the grains of the
ceramics can still be be made out through the gold film.
Figure 2. 40x40µm image, z-range: 300nm |