Fluid Operation
General Fluid Operation
126
MultiMode SPM Instruction Manual
Rev. B
8.2.3 Remove Organic Contamination from the Tip
Contaminants on the tip may limit AFM resolution. You may use ultraviolet (UV) light to remove
contaminants, as follows:
1. Place the fluid cell with installed tip face-up on a clean surface.
2. Position a UV lamp very close (3-5mm) to the fluid cell and irradiate the probe for 15-30
minutes at full intensity.
Note:
Washing probes in 1-5% SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate) is also effective.
8.2.4 Load the Fluid Cell with a Probe
The probe is held in a small pocket on the bottom side of the
fl
uid cell by a gold-plated, stainless
steel wire clip. A tiny coil spring mounted on the top of the
fl
uid cell holds the wire clip against the
probe.
Load a probe into the
fl
uid cell by performing the following procedure:
1. Hold the fluid cell with one hand and use the other hand to gently raise the wire clip by
pressing the spring from beneath.
Note:
Do not press harder than enough to completely compress the spring!
2. Use the clear ball to the side of the spring to rotate the wire clip away from the pocket.
3. Use tweezers to slide a probe into the pocket. Lower the clip to hold the probe (see
4. Verify that the probe is squarely set against one side of the pocket and flush against the back.
Verify the probe is held firmly by the wire.
CAUTION:
Avoid scratching the fluid cell glass surface with the tweezers or
the probe, especially in the area under the probe.
