Correcting Scanning Errors in Scanning Probe Microscopes

Varieties of imaging with scanning probe microscopes.

T question comes up periodically at conference lunches where scanning probe microscopists are gathered: ‘‘Do you think we could image biological macromolecules under a thin layer of water?’’ It would be wonderful if we could confine biological macromolecules under a thin layer of water or other aqueous solution such that the biomolecules were all close enough to the surface for the atomic force...

MEMS-based fast scanning probe microscopes.

Scanning probe microscopy is a frequently used nanometer-scale surface investigation technique. Unfortunately, its applicability is limited by the relatively low image acquisition speed, typically seconds to minutes per image. Higher imaging speeds are desirable for rapid inspection of samples and for the study of a range of dynamic surface processes, such as catalysis and crystal growth. We ha...

Remote control and visualization of scanning probe microscopes via Web

Current e orts in bringing instruments on-line via the World Wide Web (WWW) have done much to enhance distance learning and research. We have achieved success in bringing the Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) data live on the Web. This work is being pursued under the aegis of the IN-VSEE project. The project is targeted at bringing SPM data live to community colleges, high school and other resear...

Methods for vertical drift measurements of scanning probe microscopes.

Time stability plays an important role in the applications of scanning probe microscopes (SPMs). Although SPMs integrated with a closed-loop control system could reduce the drift greatly, drift would still exist. The SPM drift in the lateral direction has been well studied, and several measurement methods have also been developed. However, due to coupling of the lateral drift, it is still diffi...

The Evolution of Scanning Probe Microscopes for Biological Imaging