Contact Mode AFM
Rev. F
Scanning Probe Microscope Training Notebook
9
The force is calculated from Hooke's Law:
where:
•
F = Force
•
k = spring constant
•
x = cantilever deflection.
Force constants usually range from 0.01 to 1.0 N/m, resulting in forces ranging from nN to µN in an
ambient atmosphere.
The distance the scanner moves vertically at each (x,y) data point is stored by the computer to form
the topographic image of the sample surface.
Operation can take place in ambient and liquid environments.
F
kx
–
=