TappingMode AFM
Preparation Prior to Imaging
Rev. B
MultiMode SPM Instruction Manual
109
7.2.5 Additional preparations
In TappingMode, the RMS amplitude representing AC voltage signal is used to provide the
dynamic feedback signal for surface height tracking. The vertical de
fl
ection signal (displayed on
the “Vertical or Horizontal Difference” meter) should be close to zero (± 1.0V) prior to running
Cantilever Tune
and/or attempting engagement. If you are uncertain how to set parameters for the
Channel 1
panel, try the following settings:
7.2.6 Tune the Cantilever
This section describes steps required to
fi
nd the resonance peak of the cantilever and adjust the
oscillation voltage so the cantilever will vibrate at an appropriate amplitude. A range of vibration
frequencies will be applied to the cantilever to determine the frequency which produces the largest
response (the resonance frequency). In most instances, the resonance peak will have a sharp
Gaussian distribution but sometimes the peak can be somewhat asymmetric. The system will
tolerate some deviation in the shape of the peak.
•
Click
View
>
Sweep
>
Cantilever Tune
, or use the
Cantilever Tune
icon. Several
panels will appear (see
).
Panel
Parameter
Setting
Channel 1
Data type
Height
Z range
0-4.50µm
a
a. A
Z range
value of 4.50
µ
m is the maximum for most “J” scanners.
Always start with a low
Z range
value if feature height is
unknown, then increase until the image is optimized. On the
200nm step height calibration sample, a reasonable
Z range
setting
would be
300nm
initially
Line direction
Trace
Scan line
Main
Realtime Plane
fi
t
Line
Of
fl
ine plane
fi
t
Full
High-pass
fi
lter
Off
Low-pass
fi
lter
Off