Characterization and optimization of scan speed for tapping-mode atomic force microscopy

Increasing the imaging speed of tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) has important practical and scientific applications. The scan speed of tapping-mode AFMs is limited by the speed of the feedback loop that maintains a constant tapping amplitude. This article seeks to illuminate these limits to scanning speed. The limits to the feedback loop are: (1) slow transient response of probe; (2) instability limitations of high-quality factor (Q) systems; (3) feedback actuator bandwidth; (4) error signal saturation; and the (5) rms-to-dc converter. The article will also suggest solutions to mitigate these limitations. These limitations can be addressed through integrating a faster feedback actuator as well as active control of the dynamics of the cantilever.

[1]  T. Shibata-Seki,et al.  In-situ atomic force microscopy study of lipid vesicles adsorbed on a substrate , 1996 .

[2]  Harald Fuchs,et al.  How to measure energy dissipation in dynamic mode atomic force microscopy , 1999 .

[3]  Todd Sulchek,et al.  High-speed tapping mode imaging with active Q control for atomic force microscopy , 2000 .

[4]  Jerome Mertz,et al.  Regulation of a microcantilever response by force feedback , 1993 .

[5]  Joseph L. Garbini,et al.  Optimal control of ultrasoft cantilevers for force microscopy , 1998 .

[6]  E. Bamberg,et al.  Scan speed limit in atomic force microscopy , 1993 .

[7]  R. Leighton,et al.  Feynman Lectures on Physics , 1971 .

[8]  Gene F. Franklin,et al.  Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems , 1986 .

[9]  D. Rugar,et al.  Force Detection of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance , 1994, Science.

[10]  Paul K. Hansma,et al.  Fast imaging and fast force spectroscopy of single biopolymers with a new atomic force microscope designed for small cantilevers , 1999 .

[11]  I N Bankman,et al.  Solid-state DNA sizing by atomic force microscopy. , 1998, Analytical chemistry.

[12]  C. Quate,et al.  AUTOMATED PARALLEL HIGH-SPEED ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY , 1998 .

[13]  P K Hansma,et al.  Escherichia coli RNA polymerase activity observed using atomic force microscopy. , 1997, Biochemistry.

[14]  Robert W. Stark,et al.  Tapping-mode atomic force microscopy and phase-imaging in higher eigenmodes , 1999 .

[15]  Microfabricated Systems,et al.  Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Microstructures and Microfabricated Systems , 1995 .