Scanning Probe Microscopy, Industrial Applications of

Abstract

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has developed to become an integral part of the hierarchy of analytical tools in industrial surroundings, owing to its excellent spatial resolution and its ability to work under ambient conditions. The purpose of this article is to give an insight into the potential of SPM techniques in industrial applications today. Owing to the wide variety of possible applications, this article can present only a small selection of uses. The given examples highlight typical aspects of the current analytical work of different industrial laboratories. First, an introduction to the specific industry and its analytical obstacles is given. Second, a solution using a SPM method is demonstrated and the particular SPM method is explained in detail. Finally, an actual measurement is given for each example. To summarize, with the necessary precautions concerning stable conditions during the measurement, SPMs are a useful tool for industrial applications which fulfill the demands of industry today. SPMs are commercially available, rapid, quantitative and reproducible. Furthermore, they are available with a user‐friendly interface. The increasing number of companies that are using SPMs in the laboratory and manufacturing every day provides evidence of the rising popularity of SPM.