We describe a novel experimental technique for measuring the viscoelastic properties of ultrathin polymer films. The method is based on the classic bubble inflation technique for measuring the biaxial creep compliance of films, reduced in size to measure films with thicknesses down to at least 13nm⁠. The method uses the imaging capabilities of the atomic force microscope to determine the time evolution of the geometry of nanobubbles. Using these data, along with the applied pressure, the absolute creep compliance of the films can be determined.

Topics
Plate theory, Thermoelectricity, Magnetic materials, Atomic force microscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry, Polymers, Viscoelastic properties, Thin films, Viscoelastic materials, Nanofluidics
© 2007 American Institute of Physics.
2007
American Institute of Physics
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