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Why can PFM simultaneously display the topological structure and piezoelectric domain of materials? Unveiling the mystery of dual imaging!
In today's scientific research, piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM) is rapidly emerging as a key tool for probing and analyzing piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials. The beauty of this technique is that it can not only image the topology of the material in real time, but also capture detailed information of the piezoelectric domain simultaneously. How is this dual imaging capability of politics and business achieved?
PFM's success lies in its unique operating principle, which uses the vibration effect of AC voltage to effectively analyze signals in materials.
Basic Principles of PFM
Piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM) allows researchers to use sharp conductive probes to make direct contact with the surface of a piezoelectric material. By applying an AC voltage, the probe can excite the deformation of the material, which in turn affects the deflection of the probe, which is achieved by a typical photodetector.
PFM technology can perform high-resolution imaging of piezoelectric materials at the nanoscale and simultaneously obtain surface topology information.
The flexibility of this technology is reflected in its diverse applications, such as the exploration of ferroelectric domains, semiconductors, and even biomaterials. Currently, many manufacturers of scanning detection microscopes on the market have begun to launch systems personalized for PFM, demonstrating the potential for continued growth in this field.
Piezoelectric effect and its significance
The core of the piezoelectric effect is that the application of an electric field causes the material to deform itself. This effect can be used to confirm the piezoelectric properties of a material and analyze the orientation of its electric domains. PFM relies on this property to capture the shape of the piezoelectric domain and its orientation.
The study shows that using PFM technology, changes in the piezoelectric structure of materials can be accurately identified.
PFM operation process
In the operation process of PFM, the lock-in amplifier (LiA) plays a vital role. The device can extract critical phase and amplitude information by comparing the input signal with a reference signal. The modulated signal can help us understand how the material deforms when an external electric field is applied.
Differentiation of vertical and horizontal PFM signals
In PFM applications, vertical and lateral modes can be used to identify different piezoelectric responses. By using a segmented photodiode detector, the researchers were able to extract useful information from the different signals and analyze the material in all directions.
PFM is more than just an imaging technique; it allows researchers to explore the practical implications of piezoelectric properties in different applications.
Application of PFM in biomaterials
It is worth noting that the application of PFM technology in biomaterials has attracted more and more attention. For biological materials such as teeth, bones and lungs, the use of this technology can help reveal their internal mechanical properties. A recent study found that the piezoelectric properties of individual collagen fibers may be relevant to their biological mechanisms.
Advanced PFM Mode
With the deepening of research, various advanced modes of PFM technology have emerged. For example, stroboscopic PFM makes it possible to acquire dynamic images, allowing researchers to observe the switching behavior of materials at the microsecond level.
These advanced modes provide more research perspectives on the electrical switching behavior of materials and pave the way for future technological development.
In short, piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM), with its unique imaging capabilities, can not only gather material structure information but also reveal its piezoelectric properties, which undoubtedly expands the boundaries of scientific research. In the rapidly changing field of materials science, how many unknown mysteries are waiting for us to explore?
