Interleave Scanning and LiftMode
Lift Mode Description
220
MultiMode SPM Instruction Manual
Rev. B
12.3 Lift Mode Description
With the
Interleave scan
option set to
Lift
, the motion of the tip during the Interleave trace and
retrace is as shown in
Figure 12.3a
LiftMode Pro
fi
les
The tip
fi
rst moves to the
Lift start height
, then to the
Lift scan height
. A large
Lift start height
can be used to pull the tip from the surface and eliminate sticking. The
Lift scan height
is the
fi
nal
tip height. This value is added point-by-point to the height data obtained during the Main
topography trace and retrace. Values can be positive or negative.
12.4 Operation of Interleave Scanning / Lift Mode
These instructions apply to STM, contact AFM, or TappingMode AFM modes. It is assumed the
user is familiar with TappingMode or contact AFM to obtain good images of surface topography.
Use of Interleave scanning requires the steps below; see
fi
c examples using
MFM.
1. Obtain a topography scan using the appropriate (usually Contact or TappingMode) method:
When using LiftMode, it is important that the gains and setpoint under Feedback Controls be
adjusted to give a faithful image of the surface. Because the height data is used in the lift pass
to trace the topography, a poor measurement of surface height may give inaccurate
measurement during the lift pass or cause the tip to strike the surface. Typically, the height
data is displayed on Channel 1.
2. Adjust the
Interleave Controls
panel to desired settings: Choose the
Interleave mode
(
Interleave
,
Lift
,
Linear
or
Retrace Lift
) appropriate for the measurements to be
performed. Set the Interleave Controls as desired. When using TappingMode, the
Drive
amplitude
,
Drive frequency
,
Gains
, and
Setpoint
can be set differently in the
Interleave
Controls
panel than in the main
Feedback Controls
panel; see
often convenient to begin with the main and interleave values set equal; this can be done by
toggling the bullets to the left of the appropriate Interleave parameters to an “off” (grayed)
condition. The values can be changed once engaged. If using
Lift
, set the
Lift start height
and
Lift scan height
. If using
Interleave
mode, set the
Gains
and
Setpoint
.
Main Trace
(Height Data)
Lift
Start
Height
Lift
Scan
Height
Lift Trace
Lift
Scan
Height