Abstract
The real area of contact between a thin film rigid disk and an optically smooth surface has been measured using multiple-beam interferometry. The statistical distribution of contact sizes, the number of contacts and the total contact area have been determined using automated image analysis as a function of normal force. Contact sizes were found to be in the range of 1–2 μm in diameter and exhibited a weak dependence on the normal force, while the number of contacts increased with an increase in the normal pressure. These relationships agree well with predictions from microcontact analysis. We also find that contact size and number of contacts increase with loading time.
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