Calibration methodologies for scanning thermal microscopy

Abstract

This work analyses the heat transfer between various scanning thermal microscopy (SThM) probes and samples. In order to perform quantitative measurements with SThM techniques, we have developed well-established and reproducible calibration methodologies. We present here two approaches of the SThM measurement: one to measure thermal conductivity of solid materials with a Wollaston SThM microprobe and a second one to evaluate phase transition temperatures of polymeric materials with a silicon low-doped nanoprobe. Based on the comparison of experimental data and modeling results, we have estimated the local resolution of the microprobe to be associated to a radius of 300 nm. Concerning the nanoprobe, we have demonstrated the strong dependence of measurement on sample topography and roughness.