Fig. 3. Time evolution of deflection of the bead after stepwise reduction of the force amplitude from f₀=2.55 nN to 1.70 nN at position (a), to 0.85 nN at position (b) and to 0 nN at position (c). The arrows indicate the initial elastic relaxation after the reduction of the pulse. The double arrows at the end of the force pulse indicate the elastic regime of retraction.