Quantitative methods for deconvolution of true topographical properties   of object on the basis of AFM-images: Part 1. Contact tip-sample deformations
  We assume that the sample height measured using AFM is reduced due to contact deformation. The Herz contact theory is applied for the quantitative description. General numerical solution is found. Analytical approximations for specific contact geometry are derived for the case of cylindrical sample. It is found that theoretical description are consistent with experimental data. The developed approach has allowed to determine elastic parameters of individual microobjects adsorbed on a surface of solid substrate. 
M. O. Gallyamov, I. V. Yaminsky
cond-mat.mes-hall