We provide new insight into atomic contrast obtained using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy based on both experimental and theoretical analysis. We proved that the atomic contrast is not an artefact, but it is based on underlying physics. In particular, we performed a set of complex computer simulations of tip-sample interaction between the scanning probe and the surface. The simulations showed a change of the charge density redistribution and consequently the surface dipole due to the formation of the chemical bond between a probe and surface atoms.
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