Piezoelectric Scanners: Creep and Bow
20
Scanning Probe Microscope Training Notebook
Rev. F
9.2 Bow
Because scanners are attached at one end and move the sample or tip on the other, the free end does
not move in a level plane. The mechanical properties of the piezo, as well as the kinematics of
motion, often result in 2nd order or 3rd order curvatures from an ideal plane. This is commonly
called “Bow”, which increases with scan size. The bows can be removed from a captured image by
using
Modify Planefit Manual
or
Auto
.