displayed in the usual manner.
4. Manipulating Data
After the scan, the profile is plotted on the screen with a summary of the data
displayed next to it. For many applications, this initial display will contain all
required information. When further analysis is needed, it can be performed in the
instrument's computer without having to re-scan. If the profile appears tilted,
proceed to Section 4.3 before taking any measurements.
4.1. Overriding Vertical Auto-Ranges
To change the vertical range after the scan, press the RANGE ^ or “down arrow”
key. The range is indicated in the data summary, next to the label VERT. When
the desired range is selected, press PLOT to redraw the image. The profile will
be centered vertically where it intersects the left cursor. Some of the profile
may spill of the screen at higher magnifications.
4.2. Measurement Cursors - Measuring Profile Features
On the edges of the profile are two dashed vertical lines. These are the
measurement cursors, used to make horizontal and vertical measurements off the
plot. Cursor-derived measurement data is continuously displayed in the data
summary on the left side of the screen.
The CUR button selects the cursor to be moved. You can see the active cursor
indicator appear over each cursor in turn, and then over both as you repeatedly
press this button. When both cursors are active, they will remain a fixed distance
apart as they move simultaneously. The arrow buttons will move the cursor(s)
in the direction indicated. Holding down these buttons causes the cursors to
automatically speed up for long moves.
The cursors can be returns to the ends of the scan by pressing CUR followed by
ABT. This also undoes all zooming (see below), returning to the plot displayed
immediately after the scan.
Vertical measurements are shown in the data summary under the heading
VERT. Profile heights at the cursors appear directly beneath the label. The
highlighted area directly below shows the difference between the heights. Thus to
measure a step height, simply position one cursor so that it intersects the
substrate at the base of the step. Position the other so that it intersects the profile
on top of the step. The vertical difference shown in the highlighted area
under VERT is the step height.
Horizontal measurements are shown in the data summary under the heading
HORIZ. Scan positions at the cursors appear directly beneath the label. The
