ISSN:
1432-0630
Keywords:
PACS: 61.16.ch; 68.35.Bs
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract. A fast imaging method in a contact-mode atomic force microscope (AFM) is examined for its principle and performance, where the image is acquired by combining a cantilever signal and a feedback signal applied to a piezotube. The frequency component of the feedback signal is restricted in the lower frequency region to keep the linear relationship between the feedback signal and the displacement of the piezotube. It is shown that the image is basically independent of the feedback details since a wide detection bandwidth is certified by the cantilever response much faster than by the feedback response, allowing a fast scanning. The fast scanning, however, enhances the distortion in the transient region where surface height changes abruptly. This influence can be reduced by choosing the scan line direction for the data acquisition. The combination procedure also reduces the low-frequency noise in the feedback signal. A 512×512-pixel image was obtained in 90 s without sacrificing the resolution.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003390050970
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