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Local variation of frictional properties associated with adatoms of Sr and Cu with SrTiO[sub 3](100) surfaces was investigated by friction force microscopy. On the surfaces partially covered with Sr, strong friction was observed on Sr adlayers. In contrast, the areas covered with Cu showed weaker friction than the substrates. We found that a thick Cu layer became easily worn by scanning, so the stepped surface of the substrate appeared in the scanned area. Furthermore, inversion of the contrast in friction between the SrO and TiO[sub 2] terraces was observed in the same region during measurement. The origins of this friction behavior will be discussed in terms of the interaction between adsorbates and the substrate. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Friction force microscopy (FFM) was used to investigate local variation of frictional properties associated with adatoms of Strontium and copper with SrTiO3 (100) surfaces. Results indicate that FFM is a promising tool with which to investigate the initial state of thin film growth.