2. Atomic Force Microscopy
AFM works by scanning a probe over the sample surface,
building up a map of the height or topography of the
surface as it goes along.
2
3. Background of AFM
In 1929 Shmalz described Stylus Profiler.
In 1950 Becker suggested oscillating the probe that
approach contact with surface.
In 1971 Young described non contact type Stylus Profiler.
In 1981 Binning and Rohrer described STM.
AFM Invented in 1986 by Binning.
3
4. Different From other Microscopy
No need of focusing, illumination, Depth of field.
It also have height information that make it simple to
quickly measure the height, volume, width of any feature
in the sample.
It physically feels the sample’s surface with a sharp probe,
building up a map of the height of samples surface.
It provides single atomic level structure so provide high
resolution.
4
6. The first AFM instrument built by Binning,
Quate and Gerber
The STM with a lever
made by carefully gluing a
tiny diamond onto the end
of a spring made of a thin
strip of gold. This was the
cantilever of the first AFM.
6
7. AFM Instrument
The main components of an AFM are
1.Microscope stage – Moving AFM tip, Sample holder,
Force Sensor
2.Control electronics - Optical Microscope, Vibration
controller
3.Computer - The control electronics usually takes the form
of a large box interfaced to both the microscope stage
and the computer.
7
8. Basic concept of AFM Instrumentation
The piezoelectric transducer moves the tip over the
sample surface, the force transducer senses the force
between the tip and the surface, and the feedback
control feeds the signal from the force transducer back in
to the piezoelectric, to maintain a fixed force between the
tip and the sample.
8
11. Force Sensor
Optical lever sensor the
End of the cantilever
bends the position of
the laser spot on the
detector changes. As the
cantilever detector
distance is large a small
movement of the
cantilever causes a large
change in the laser spot
position at the detector.
11
14. Challenges of AFM regarding Design
Requirement of sharp probe for high resolution.
The force between probe and sample should be 1nN or
less than that.
The feedback controller should have a rapid control so
adjust topographic film can be formed.
A high speed computer that can generate the images in
real time.
Vibration free stage.
14
15. Scanning Modes
There are different imaging modes of AFM
Contact Mode
Non Contact Mode
Tapping Mode
15
16. Modes of Operation in AFM
Mode of Operation Force of Interaction
Contact mode strong(repulsive) - constant force or
constant Height
Non-contact mode weak (attractive) - vibrating probe
Tapping mode strong (repulsive) - vibrating probe
16
17. Contact Mode
High Resolution Images.
Tip of the probe always touching the sample.
Fastest of all the topographic modes.
Because of repulsive forces tip and sample may damage.
Sensitive to the nature of sample.
Not good for soft samples.
17
19. Non Contact Mode
Signal-to-noise benefits associated with modulated
signals.
Oscillating modes can measure images with a small
probe–sample force.
19
20. Tapping Mode
No Capillary effect.
Amplitude signals are used in feedback.
Used for Imaging in Air.
20
21.
22. Limitations
AFM can only image a maximum height on the order of
10-20 micrometers and a maximum scanning area of
about 150×150 micrometers.
The scanning speed of an AFM is also a limitation.
Highly Dependent on AFM probes.
22
23. Applications
It can image far more biological processes, such as
imaging of proteins.
Any sample like ceramic material, human cells or
individual molecules of DNA, Dispersion of metallic
Nanoparticles can be imaged.
23
24. References
Atomic force Microscopy by Peter Eatson and Paul West.
http://hansmalab.physics.ucsb.edu/afmapp.html
Quazar Technologies Pvt., LTd. Guide section.
24