
Fluid Operation
Troubleshooting Tips
140
MultiMode SPM Instruction Manual
Rev. B
lateral stress. This also forms a
fl
uid-tight seal between the O-ring and sample.
However, some solvents (i.e., nonpolar organic solvents) may dissolve some of the
lubricant into the
fl
uid.
•
Substitute an alternative for the O-ring:
•
Replace the O-ring with a slice of thin-walled glass, plastic or stainless steel tubing.
•
Choose the diameter and thickness of the ring of tubing so that it does not contact
the inner or outer walls of the circular groove in the
fl
uid cell. This allows the
optical head to move laterally during engagement and helps in positioning the tip
over the sample surface.
•
Choose the length of the ring of tubing so that it is suf
fi
cient to reach the sample
surface and to reach the bottom of the
fl
uid cell before engagement.
•
Glue the ring of tubing to the steel sample puck or to the sample to prevent leaks.
•
When positioning the
fl
uid cell over the sample surface, adjust the positioning knob at
the base of the optical head to move it slightly forward. This will counter some of the
lateral stress on the O-ring resulting from the optical head moving back during
engagement.