Figure 1

The calculated variation in interaction stiffness ($k_i$) and damping ($\gamma$) for simulated oscillatory forces as an AFM tip approaches a surface. The tip-surface separation is given as the number of solvation layers ($n$). The actual (true) stiffness and damping is represented by the data for the phase angle ${\delta }_0=67.7°$. The other curves show the effect of a $\pm 1°$ phase offset error on the calculated results.Reuse & Permissions