Eur. Phys. J. E (2006) 20: 89-98
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2005-10123-6

Regular Article

Exploring the facets of “soft crystals” using an Atomic Force Microscope

Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, UMR 8502, Université Paris-Sud, 91405, Orsay, France

^* e-mail: even@lps.u-psud.fr

Received: 13 September 2005
Accepted: 6 April 2006
Published online: 15 May 2006

Abstract

We obtained monocrystalline droplets in a thermotropic cubic phase, of approximate size 100μm, deposited on a flat surface. The facets of these soft crystals are explored using both an optical microscope and an AFM. The height of individual steps on the principal facets and the lateral distance between steps in vicinal facets are measured using AFM in imaging (tapping) mode. Moreover, the elastic modulus is measured locally, using the AFM tip (in contact mode) as a local rheological probe.