Scanning flow-impedance microscopy: A simple imaging technique based on hydrodynamics

Abstract

We introduce the concept of scanning flow-impedance microscopy (SFIM) which is an imaging technique based on hydrodynamics. Using a simple experimental setup including a mass flow controller and a manometer, the operating principle of SFIM is validated under atmospheric pressure and temperature conditions. Experimental results show that the flow impedance strongly depends on the relative distance between a probe and a specimen. SFIM micrographs of microscale patterns with various linewidths are presented. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3238483]