qPlus magnetic force microscopy in frequency-modulation mode with millihertz resolution

qPlus magnetic force microscopy in frequency-modulation mode with millihertz resolution

Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) allows one to image the domain structure of ferromagnetic samples by probing the dipole forces between a magnetic probe tip and a magnetic sample. The magnetic domain structure of the sample depends on the alignment of the individual atomic magnetic moments. It is desirable to be able to image both individual atoms and domain structures with a single probe. Howev...

Self-oscillating mode for frequency modulation noncontact atomic force microscopy

Microrheology of cells with magnetic force modulation atomic force microscopy.

We propose a magnetic force modulation method to measure the stiffness and viscosity of living cells using a modified AFM apparatus. An oscillating magnetic field makes a magnetic cantilever oscillate in contact with the sample, producing a small AC indentation. By comparing the amplitude of the free cantilever motion (A0) with the motion of the cantilever in contact with the sample (A1), we de...

Soft-contact imaging in liquid with frequency-modulation torsion resonance mode atomic force microscopy.

In this work, we demonstrate that high-resolution imaging in water with a soft contact between the tip and the sample can be achieved with frequency-modulation torsional resonance (FM-TR) mode atomic force microscopy (AFM). This mode is very sensitive to the contact of the tip with the sample surface. A sharp jump in the resonance frequency shift occurs when the tip is getting in touch with the...

Stability considerations and implementation of cantilevers allowing dynamic force microscopy with optimal resolution: the qPlus sensor

In frequency modulation atomic force microscopy, the stiffness, quality factor and oscillation amplitude of the cantilever are important parameters. While the first atomic resolution results were obtained with amplitudes of a few hundred ångstrom, it has subsequently been shown that smaller amplitudes should result in a better signal-to-noise ratio and an increased sensitivity to the short-rang...