Simultaneously detected conductance and stiffness data measured over a single cobalt atom on a platinum (111) surface.

Data measured by scanning at successively smaller tip sample distances until the cobalt atom hops to the next adsorption site.

Extracted lateral and vertical forces during the scans. At a lateral force of 210pN the atom hops.

The lateral threshold force to manipulate the cobalt atom is independent of the tip height and the vertical component of the interaction force.