Typical Image Artifacts
60
Scanning Probe Microscope Training Notebook
Rev. F
Figure 20.0e
Not Tracking
In TappingMode, when operating on the high frequency side of the resonance peak, rings may
appear around raised features which may make them appear as if they are “surrounded by water.”
An example of this can be seen in the image of the Ti grains on the left. Decreasing the Drive
Frequency during imaging can eliminate this artifact, as shown in the image on the right (when
reducing the Drive Frequency, the Setpoint voltage may need to be reduced as well) (see
).
Figure 20.0f
Rings During High Frequency Operation
The arch shaped bow in the scanner becomes visible at large scan sizes (left). The bow in this
image can be removed by performing a 2nd order Planefit in X and Y (right). (Data Scale = 30nm)
(see
)