© ICSPI Corp. 2007-2021
nGauge AFM User Manual 2.0
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5.3.
Software Overview
The nGauge AFM software is divided into three pages: (1) Sweep, (2) Approach, and (3) Scan.
To navigate between the three pages, click on the desired tab at the top of the page.
There is a dropdown menu called ‘Show Advanced Controls’ on each page that displays
advanced controls specific to that page.
The menu button at top-right of the page displays a detailed Advanced Setting menu for
advanced aspects of AFM configuration. The settings in this menu are not required for normal
operation and only advanced users should use these controls. More details are available in
Section 8.3 Menu Button Advanced Controls.
5.4.
Sweep
Click the
Sweep
button to perform a frequency sweep of the cantilever. The frequency sweep
determines the resonant frequency of the cantilever and takes a few seconds to complete.
Whenever a chip is installed, a frequency sweep must be performed. Each chip will have a
slightly different resonant frequency.
5.4.1.
Cantilever Drive Amplitude
When the frequency sweep is complete, two graphs will be displayed: an amplitude graph and a
phase graph. The amplitude graph should display a smooth curve with a peak greater than 2 V,
but less than 3.3 V.
