Imaging the real shape of nanoclusters in scanning force microscopy

A quantitative comparison between experiment and theory is given for the constant height mode imaging of metal nanoclusters in dynamic scanning force microscopy. We explain the fundamental mechanisms in the contrast formation with the help of the system Pd/MgO(001). The comparison shows that the shape and size of nanoclusters are precisely imaged due to the sharpness of the tip's last nanometer. This quantitative comparison proves our previously proposed model for the contrast formation. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.