Diagnostics of micro- and nanostructure using the scanning probe microscopy

In this paper we summarize the results of our research concerning the diagnostics of micro- and nanostructure with scanning probe microscopy (SPM). We describe the experiments performed with one of the scanning probe microscopy techniques enabling also insulating surfaces to be investigated, i.e., atomic force microscopy (AFM). We present the results of topography measurements using both contact and non-contact AFM modes, investigations of the friction forces that appear between the microtip and the surface, and experiments connected with the thermal behaviour of integrated circuits, carried out with the local resolution of 20 nm.