Visualization of conducting channels in polymer layers by atomic force microscopy with a conducting probe

Abstract

The results of an experimental study of the local electrophysical properties of ultrathin polymer films by atomic force microscopy with a conducting probe are presented. It is established that visualization of current flow sites (conducting channels) is possible in areas from which the surface layer has been mechanically removed. The conducting channels in the current image have the form of individual points with a height corresponding to the locally flowing current. It is found that the location of the observed channels correlates well with the model of conductivity along the grain boundaries of the supramolecular structure of the polymer. Keywords: thin polymer films, atomic force microscopy with a conducting probe, conducting channels, supramolecular structure.