Abbreviated Instructions for Dimension Series AFMs
30
Scanning Probe Microscope Training Notebook
Rev. F
14.5 Focus
Surface
1. Select
Stage
>
Focus Surface
(or click the
Focus Surface
icon). The optics will move to a
focus position approximately 1mm below the tip. Focus on the sample surface by rolling the
trackball up or down while pressing the bottom left button. This adjustment raises or lowers
the vertical engage stage on which the SPM and optics are mounted. Care must be taken
when making this adjustment to ensure that the tip does not hit the sample surface.
2. Move the desired measurement point under the cross hairs with the trackball without holding
down any of the buttons
14.6 Cantilever Tune (TappingMode Only)
1. Select
View
>
Sweep
>
Cantilever Tune
(or click the
Cantilever Tune
icon). For Auto
Tune Controls, make sure the Start Frequency is at 100 kHz and the End Frequency is at 500
kHz. Target Amplitude should be 2-3V.
2. Click
Auto Tune
. A “
Tuning...
” sign should appear and then disappear once Auto Tune is
done. When done, quit the
Cantilever Tune
menu.
3. Set the
Peak Offset
to 3-10 percent. The
Peak
Offset
is the percentage of the cantilever’s
free-air resonant frequency to be automatically offset. Peak offset is used to compensate for
changes in resonance before engagement due to the tip’s interaction with the surface after
engagement.
Range and Settings
: 0-50 percent. Positive values offset the
Drive frequency
rightward on the graph.
14.7 Set Initial Scan Parameters
In the
Scan Controls
panel, set the initial
Scan Size
to 1µm,
X
and
Y Offsets
to 0, and
Scan Angle
to 0.
•
Tapping: In the
Feedback Controls
panel, set
Integral Gain
to 0.4,
Proportional Gain
to 0.6, and
Scan Rate
to 2 Hz.
•
Contact: In the
Feedback Controls
panel, set the
Setpoint
is to 0V,
Integral Gain
to
2.0,
Proportional Gain
to 3.0, and
Scan Rate
to 2 Hz.
14.8 Engage
Select
Motor
>
Engage
(or on the
Engage
icon).