Extreme nanotribology: Dissipation on the atomic scale:

Contribution from R. Bennewitz, E. Meyer

Individual molecules are resolved in non-contact force microscopy in ultrahigh-vacuum conditions. The interaction at step sites and kink sites is different from the terraces. The topography on the left side is due to constant conservative force. The excitation amplitude on the right side is due to non-conservative, dissipative interactions.