SPM Fundamentals for the MultiMode
Terms and Abbreviations
Rev. B
MultiMode SPM Instruction Manual
47/(46 Blank)
integral gain
—Amount of correction applied in response to the average error between setpoint
force and actual force measured by the detector.
LFM
—Lateral force microscopy; lateral force microscope. Frictional measurements of surfaces
based upon a tip’s lateral and torsional response.
LiftMode
—Two-part, proprietary method of imaging surfaces consisting of a surface scan to
obtain height data, followed by a second scan to extract other information about the surface (such as
magnetic force or elasticity) while the tip pro
fi
les the previous Z path at a constant height. The two
images are subtracting from each other to yield an image unin
fl
uenced by topography.
LookAhead gain
—Amount of correction applied in response to the error signal between setpoint
force and actual force measured by the detector, based upon recorded information from the adjacent
scan line.
MFM
—Magnetic force microscope; magnetic force microscopy.
NanoScope
—Trademark name applied to Veeco’s SPM products.
probe
—Integrated mechanical device used to image surfaces, including a substrate, cantilever and
tip.
proportional gain
—Correction applied in response to the error signal between setpoint force and
actual force measured by the detector, in direct proportion to the error.
RMS amplitude
—Root mean square (RMS) signal measured at the detector. (TappingMode only.)
SPM
—Scanning probe microscopy; scanning probe microscope. A general term encompassing all
types of microscopy which utilize a scanned micro-sharpened probe and feedback circuitry to
image nanometric phenomena. Includes AFM, ECAFM, ECSTM, EFM, MFM, STM, and many
others.
STM
—Scanning tunneling microscopy; scanning tunneling microscope.
sensitivity
—Amount of movement produced by a scanner piezo for a given amount of voltage.
setpoint
—Operator-selected force threshold between tip and sample used as the feedback control
loop’s target.
spring constant
—Amount of force required to bend a cantilever some given amount.
TappingMode
—Proprietary mode of SPM exclusive to Veeco which utilizes an oscillating probe to
obtain nanometric images. Advantages include negligible surface impacts, high resolution and
sensing of magnetic, electric and chemical forces.
tipholder
—Removable appliance for mounting SPM probes. On MultiMode SPMs, the tipholder is
installed within the head of the microscope. On Dimension Series SPMs, the tipholder plugs onto
the end of the scanner tube.