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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2011
Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) is the method of choice to investigate piezoactivity on a nanometer scale. A careful distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic effects are mandatory, especially when measuring ferroelectric nanostructures. We focus on two omnipresent extrinsic contributions with a substantial impact: firstly adsorbates on the surface of perovsike materials and secondly the dependence of the lateral piezoresponse on the topography. A thorough understanding of these extrinsic contributions is essential in order to avoid ambiguities in the analysis of PFM measurements.