The tip "drags" across the surface. It provides high resolution but can damage soft samples like biological tissues.
The cantilever vibrates at its resonance frequency, lightly "tapping" the surface. This reduces friction and lateral forces, making it the gold standard for polymers and DNA .
As the tip scanned across a surface, atomic forces (like Van der Waals, electrostatic, or capillary forces) cause the cantilever to deflect.
Works on samples without needing a gold coating.
A laser beam reflects off the back of the cantilever onto a photodiode detector . Even a tiny movement of the tip translates into a measurable shift in the laser’s position.
AFM isn't "one size fits all." Depending on the sample's delicacy, researchers choose different modes:
Provides a (height data), not just a 2D projection. Requires no vacuum ; it can operate in air or liquids.
Fundamentals And Application: Of Atomic Force Mi...
The tip "drags" across the surface. It provides high resolution but can damage soft samples like biological tissues.
The cantilever vibrates at its resonance frequency, lightly "tapping" the surface. This reduces friction and lateral forces, making it the gold standard for polymers and DNA .
As the tip scanned across a surface, atomic forces (like Van der Waals, electrostatic, or capillary forces) cause the cantilever to deflect.
Works on samples without needing a gold coating.
A laser beam reflects off the back of the cantilever onto a photodiode detector . Even a tiny movement of the tip translates into a measurable shift in the laser’s position.
AFM isn't "one size fits all." Depending on the sample's delicacy, researchers choose different modes:
Provides a (height data), not just a 2D projection. Requires no vacuum ; it can operate in air or liquids.
