The use of the atomic force microscope (AFM) as a local probe for elastohydrodynamic lubrication is discussed. Compliances are measured with a modified AFM that allows application of ac and dc forcedisplacement curves on end-grafted poly(styrene) chains in good (toluene) and poor (water) solvents. In toluene, the chains form a stretched brush whose elastic modulus is an order of magnitude larger than that of the collapsed layer in water. The dc force-displacement curves are compared to those previously obtained on similar systems with the surface forces apparatus.

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