Introduction to the Digital Instruments MultiMode SPM
Safety
4
MultiMode SPM Installation Manual
Rev. B
1.2
Safety
1.2.1 Six Rules of Safety
Here is a summary of precautions to follow during your learning phase. If you follow the rules
below, the MM-SPM can come to little harm and you may feel free to experiment boldly.
Read the manuals!
Even if you have prior experience with the MM-SPM, be sure to read
Chapter 1
in this
manual before doing any imaging work. Each of the remaining chapters are dedicated to speci
fi
c
provides an introduction to contact AFM, which is a good place for
beginners to start. Other chapters may be read as required. Also consult the
Command Reference
Manual
for a complete explanation of software controls.
Follow good “rules of engagement”
“Engagement” refers to the process of bringing the tip and surface together. This is harder than it
sounds, and the software routine for controlling the process is complex. Some probes (especially
crystal silicon TappingMode probes) are prone to breakage if engaged too quickly or with too much
force. Ensure that engagement settings never exceed the limits of safety (see
) and never
attempt to engage manually using coarse adjustment screws.
Never move the head while imaging
The head contains the tipholder, laser and photodiode array. An X-Y translation stage is provided
for moving the head and tip several millimeters across the sample for coarse adjustment. Even for
relatively smooth samples, the head should NEVER be moved with the tip engaged. This almost
always results in tip breakage. Always disengage
fi
rst before using the X-Y stage to move the tip.
Never leave your controller ON while the computer is turned OFF
Operators are advised to turn OFF their controller and computer when
fi
nished with imaging. If the
controller is left ON for an extended period without an energized computer, damage to the scanner
may result. (This is especially true if the scan has been heavily offset in X and Y.)
Do not unplug cables to/from energized hardware. Turn OFF
fi
rst
Unplugging energized hardware is not recommended and may result in damage to the MM-SPM.
Always turn OFF hardware before making connections.
