Discover
/
Article

Atomic force microscope adapted as nanoscale thermometer

MAR 03, 2016
Physics Today

IEEE Spectrum : The atomic force microscope (AFM) helped open up the field of nanotechnology 30 years ago. Since then AFMs have been used to manipulate nanoscopic structures and measure their properties. Now Fabian Menges of IBM Zürich and his colleagues have adapted an AFM to measure both the amount of heat being transferred through the surface of a material and the material’s resistance to heat flow. Together, those values can be used to measure the amount of heat that is locally present in a nanoscale device. The researchers dubbed the technique “scanning probe thermometry.”

Related content
/
Article
The finding that the Saturnian moon may host layers of icy slush instead of a global ocean could change how planetary scientists think about other icy moons as well.
/
Article
/
Article
After a foray into international health and social welfare, she returned to the physical sciences. She is currently at the Moore Foundation.
/
Article
Modeling the shapes of tree branches, neurons, and blood vessels is a thorny problem, but researchers have just discovered that much of the math has already been done.

Get PT in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.