Fundamentals Of An Atomic Force Microscope Based On A Digital Versatile Disk Optical Pick Up Unit

A novel non-contact multiaxial astigmatic detection system (ADS) is designed and developed using the astigmatism as the measuring principle for the translational displacement, the angle, and their variations of a measured surface simultaneously. An optical pickup unit (OPU) of a commercial digital versatile disk (DVD) read only memory (ROM) drive can be used directly as an optical path mechanism in the above mentioned ADS, which can measure the translational and angular displacements accurately and simultaneously. The total linear detection range and the maximum measurement bandwidth of the ADS are 6 mm and 80MHz, respectively. The resolution of the translational displacement measurement is in sub-angstrom scale. For an operating frequency of 700 kHz, the noise floors of the translational and angular signals are below 0.8 pm/Hz1/2 and 0.4 mrad/ Hz1/2, respectively. The ADS can monitor the translational and two orthogonal angular displacements of a micro fabricated cantilever in atomic force microscopy (AFM). All the three, contact non-contact and tapping, modes can resolve the single atomic steps of the graphite surface, which indicates that atomic resolution is achievable with the ADS. The thermal noise spectra of the AFM probe can be clearly measured as well. Furthermore, the accuracy of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) depends not only on the measurement system itself, but also by the accuracy of the signal processing, which further depends on the physical and geometrical characteristics of the probe. The structure of the ADS is compact and stable. Besides the measurements through AFM probes, the ADS can be operated in profilometer mode. The CD surface and the CCD microlens are measured by this mode. The maximum scanning speed can reach up to 3.84×106 mm/s theoretically, almost one million times faster than that of a commercial SPM system. The ADS has a great potential for future development, the expansibility and the accuracy can evolve with the performance of future OPU. From the DVD OPU to higher resolution one, such as the OPU of the Blu-ray drive or high- definition (HD-DVD), can be integrated into the ADS as well. KEYWORDS: Astigmatism, ADS, Translational displacement, Angular displacement, SPM, AFM, Cantilever, Optical profilometer

The atomic force microscope (AFM) is a highly interdisciplinary instrument that enables measurements of samples in liquid, vacuum or air with unprecedented resolution. The intelligent use of this instrument requires knowledge from many distinct fields of study. These lecture notes aim to provide advanced undergraduates and beginning graduates in all fields of science and engineering with the required knowledge to sensibly use an AFM. Relevant background material is often reviewed in depth and summarized in a pedagogical, self-paced style to provide a fundamental understanding of the scientific principles underlying the use and operation of an AFM. Useful as a study guide to “Fundamentals of AFM”, an online video course available at https://nanohub.org/courses/AFM1/Suitable for Graduate/Undergraduate Independent Reading and Research Course in AFM (with the combination of book and online videos)

The atomic force microscope (AFM) is a highly interdisciplinary instrument that enables measurements of samples in liquid, vacuum or air with unprecedented resolution. The intelligent use of this instrument requires knowledge from many distinct fields of study. These lecture notes aim to provide advanced undergraduates and beginning graduates in all fields of science and engineering with the required knowledge to sensibly use an AFM. Relevant background material is often reviewed in depth and summarized in a pedagogical, self-paced style to provide a fundamental understanding of the scientific principles underlying the use and operation of an AFM.

Since its invention in 1982, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has enabled users to obtain images reflecting surface electronic structure with atomic resolution. This technology has proved indispensable as a characterization tool with applications in surface physics, chemistry, materials science, bio-science, and data storage media. It has also shown great potential in areas such as the semiconductor and optical quality control industries. Scanning Force Microscopy, Revised Edition updates the earlier edition's survey of the many rapidly developing subjects concerning the mapping of a variety of forces across surfaces, including basic theory, instrumentation, and applications. It also includes important new research in STM and a thoroughly revised bibliography. Academic and industrial researchers using STM, or wishing to know more about its potential, will find this book an excellent introduction to this rapidly developing field.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is an amazing technique that allies a versatile methodology (that allows measurement of samples in liquid, vacuum or air) to imaging with unprecedented resolution. But it goes one step further than conventional microscopic techniques; it allows us to make measurements of magnetic, electrical or mechanical properties of the widest possible range of samples, with nanometre resolution. This book will demystify AFM for the reader, making it easy to understand, and to use. It is written by authors who together have more than 30 years experience in the design, construction, and use of AFMs and will explain why the microscopes are made the way they are, how they should be used, what data they can produce, and what can be done with the data. Illustrative examples from the physical sciences, materials science, life sciences, nanotechnology and industry demonstrate the different capabilities of the technique.

Since 1995, the noncontact atomic force microscope (NC-AFM) has achieved remarkable progress. Based on nanomechanical methods, the NC-AFM detects the weak attractive force between the tip of a cantilever and a sample surface. This method has the following characteristics: it has true atomic resolution; it can measure atomic force interactions, i.e. it can be used in so-called atomic force spectroscopy (AFS); it can also be used to study insulators; and it can measure mechanical responses such as elastic deformation. This is the first book that deals with all of the emerging NC-AFM issues.

With the advent of the atomic force microscope (AFM) came an extremely valuable analytical resource and technique useful for the qualitative and quantitative surface analysis with sub-nanometer resolution. In addition, samples studied with an AFM do not require any special pretreatments that may alter or damage the sample and permits a three dimensional investigation of the surface. This book presents a collection of current research from scientists throughout the world that employ atomic force microscopy in their investigations. The technique has become widely accepted and used in obtaining valuable data in a wide variety of fields. It is impressive to see how, in a short time period since its development in 1986, it has proliferated and found many uses throughout manufacturing, research and development.