Controlling tip-sample interaction forces during a single tap for improved topography and mechanical property imaging of soft materials by AFM

Parlak Z., Hadizadeh R., Balantekin M., Degertekin F. L.

ULTRAMICROSCOPY, cilt.109, sa.9, ss.1121-1125, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 109 Sayı: 9
  • Basım Tarihi: 2009
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2009.04.006
  • Dergi Adı: ULTRAMICROSCOPY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1121-1125
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

We introduce a method that exploits the "active" nature of the force-sensing integrated readout and active tip (FIRAT), a recently introduced atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe, to control the interaction forces during individual tapping events in tapping mode (TM) AFM. In this method the probe tip is actively retracted if the tip-sample interaction force exceeds a user-specified force threshold during a single tap while the tip is still in contact with the surface. The active tip control (ATC) circuitry designed for this method makes it possible to control the repulsive forces and indentation into soft samples, limiting the repulsive forces during the scan while avoiding instability due to attractive forces. We demonstrate the accurate topographical imaging capability of this method on suitable samples that possess both soft and stiff features. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.