Sunday, June 23, 2019

Essential Details On AFM Probes

By Charles Edwards


The pioneering of nanotechnology is a big win in scientific research since it has the ability to image and measure intermolecular forces on sample surfaces. This technology is used by various nano-structure devices such as AFM probes. They are designed to measure interatomic forces on selected sample surfaces. The introduction of this imaging technique has channeled lots of improvements in research activities. The measurements are made by the deflection of a fabricated lever.

The technique that measure atomic forces was pioneered with a sole intention to overcome the limitation of their predecessors, the case of STM. The Scanning Tunneling Microscopy was only able to image only on conducting or semi-conducting topologies. Thus, the introduction of Atomic Force Microscopy channeled lots of benefits in the scientific world since it has the ability to make measurements on all types of surfaces, including; glass.

The nano-structure comprises of a cantilever detector which is position sensitive. The cantilever is micro-fabricated together with its tip. It functions by imaging the forces tracked between the tip and sample surface under investigation. The finding figures are not the final results; thus, one has to compute the statistics recorded. However, a researcher is also tasked with the duty of maintaining a constant lever stiffness to improve the accuracy of projected results.

The main role of a probe is to scan the surface of the specimen selected for study. Its tip travels near the surface in a regulated speed. The forces between the tip and the specimen deflect the cantilever as per the Hooke law. This imaging techniques enables the device to measure different forces which are depended on the prevailing situation and the sample that you intend to measure. One can use deflator that performs specialized measurements like temperature.

The device is operated under two prime methods, which include the contact mode and the non-contact mode. They differ according to the vibration mechanism of a cantilever. The contact method involves the use of a low stiffed cantilever whose tip comes into contact with the sample surface. The contact is useful since it effaces thermal and noise drifts. The non-contact method does not use attractive forces to pull the tip towards the surface, and thus, the tip and surface do not come into contact.

In addition, this probe type is the most appropriate choice when in need of measurements that involve very minute samples. It guarantees a high degree of accuracy on such measurements. It does not need a vacuum medium for its functionality since the proponents behind its invention manifested it with atomic resolution in both high vacuum and liquid surroundings.

Moreover, it has a major disadvantage that hinders its functionality. It adopts a single scanning approach which results to very minute readings in micrometers. This is outweighed by electron microscope, which leads to relatively larger reading scales of millimeters which are visible to human eye. It is also affected by a thermal drift due to its slow scanning time.

Thus, with the changing technology in the field of science, the developers are planning on ways to improve the functionality of an AFM device. This revolves around the reduction of signal-to-noise ratio as well eliminating thermal drift. As a result, the improvements will enhance the detection and the control of forces between the tip and sample surface.




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