Typical Image Artifacts
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Scanning Probe Microscope Training Notebook
Rev. F
20.0 Typical Image Artifacts
If the tip becomes worn or if debris attaches itself to the end of the tip, the features in the image
may all have the same shape. What is really being imaged is the worn shape of the tip or the shape
of the debris, not the morphology of the surface features (see
Figure 20.0a
Dull or Dirty Tip
Double or multiple tip images are formed with a tip with two or more end points which contact the
sample while imaging. The above images are examples (see
Figure 20.0b
Double or Multiple Tips
Loose debris on the sample surface can cause loss of image resolution and can produce streaking in
the image. The image on the left is an example of the loss of resolution due to the build up of
contamination on the tip when scanning from bottom-to-top. It can be seen how the small elongated
features become represented as larger, rounded features until the debris detaches from the tip near