Kelvin probe force spectroscopy was used to characterize the charge distribution of individual molecules with polar bonds. Whereas this technique represents the charge distribution with moderate resolution for large tip-molecule separations, it fails for short distances. Here, we introduce a novel local force spectroscopy technique which allows one to better disentangle electrostatic from other contributions in the force signal. It enables one to obtain charge-related maps at even closer tip-sample distances, where the lateral resolution is further enhanced. This enhanced resolution allows one to resolve contrast variations along individual polar bonds.

Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics University of Regensburg 93053 Regensburg Germany

Institute of Inorganic Chemistry University of Regensburg 93053 Regensburg Germany

Institute of Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic 16253 Prague Czech Republic

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