Atomic resolution with the atomic force microscope on conductors and nonconductors

The atomic force microscope (AFM) has achieved atomic resolution on nonconducting as well as electrically conducting surfaces, opening a new class of materials to atomically resolved surface imaging. Images of boron nitride (a nonconductor) reveal that AFM can distinguish different atomic species. AFM images of molybdenum disulfide and graphite are also presented. Graphite AFM images appear identical to images obtained by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), although AFM and STM probably respond to different atomic sites on the graphite surface. Microfabrication procedures for constructing low-mass force-sensing cantilevers are discussed.