Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) is a type of scanning probe microscopy measuring distance dependent interaction forces (10-4 down to 10-12 N) between surfaces with high spatial resolution (down to 10-9 m) [1]. The technique can be used in vacuum, gaseous or liquid environments and at various temperatures. Combining its relative simple design, resolution and versatility promotes this technique to one of the most widely used to quantitatively measure the interactions between surfaces and to investigate surface topologies.
The central unit of an AFM is a flexible cantilever with a probe at its end. In the scanning probe AFM, the probe is a sharp tip with a radius of curvature around 5 – 50 nm. Force measurements are mostly performed with a micron scale spherical colloidal probe attached on the cantilever [2]. The flexible cantilever is bent depending on the interactions between the probe and the surface. The principle of the AFM exactly lies behind monitoring this bending. It is done by collecting the deflection of a laser beam reflected from the top of the cantilever.
[1] Butt, H.; Cappella, B. & Kappl, M. Surf. Sci. Rep. 2005, 59, 1-152
[2] Ducker, W.; Senden, T. & Pashley, R. Nature 1991, 353, 239-241
Lab impressions
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Picture: AG von Klitzing
AFM with attached fluorescence microscope (MFP3D-Bio) in an acoustic isolation box. -
Picture: AG von Klitzing
Preparing cantilevers … -
Picture: AG von Klitzing
… to glue colloidal probes on them. -
Picture: AG von Klitzing
Aligning colloidial probe cantilevers. -
Picture: AG von Klitzing
Multipurpose AFM (JPK NanoWizard II) with a maximum scaning range of 100 x 100 µm². -
Picture: Ulrike Kunz (TU Darmstadt)
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