Description:
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The (10
<jats:underline>1</jats:underline>
4) cleavage plane of calcite has been investigated by atomic force microscopy in water at room temperature. True lateral atomic-scale resolution was achieved; the atomic-scale periodicities as well as the expected relative positions of the atoms within each unit cell were obtained. Along monoatomic step lines, atomic-scale kinks, representing point-like defects, were resolved. Attractive forces on the order of 10
<jats:sup>-11</jats:sup>
newton acting between single atomic sites on the sample and the front atoms of the tip were directly measured and provided the highest, most reliable resolution on a flat, well-ordered surface.
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