A DIY AFM Whokshop
Update: here is a company producing this kind of AFM http://www.stromlinet-nano.com/ Enjoy!
There is an DIY AFM workshop with one hobbyist from the States and one professor from India. They assembled their own DIY AFM within 2 hours crafting time.
Here is a link to previous project:
Preparing the Parts Before Assembly......
Finish edges of the parts.
This Time...we Use Instant Glue....
In stead of solder, all the structures are glued by instant glue, which makes assembly easier and healthier.
Wiring the Scanner....
Use solder iron for wiring cables of the scanner.
Gluing the Z Axis Transducer of the Scanner
Very important!
Assembling the AFM Head
Again....glue everything.....
The Optical and Mechanical Parts Are Done!
Just put one magnet on top of the Z transducer.
Performance Evaluation
The optomechanical part is connected to a AFM controller
Low Cost AFM Calibration Sample: DVD Data Tracks
Use the DVD data tracks (pitch= 740 nm) for calibrating scanning range of the scanner.
Measuring the AFM Calibration Sample (NT MDT TGQ1)
The DIY AFM with economy AFM controller can successfully measure height of square calibration features 20 nm with contact mode.
Measuring 1.4 Nm Features on the TGQ1
Surprisingly we found that the DIY AFM can work with non-contact mode (attractive interaction between atoms caused by van-der-Waals forces) which resolves 1.4 nm height feature on the TGQ1.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-contact_atomic_force_microscopy
The DIY AFM With Advanced Controller
The DIY AFM with advanced AFM controller can clearly see the DVD data tracks when operated in AC (Tapping) mode.
The DIY AFM With Advanced Controller
20 nm Squares and 1.4 nm features are clearly seen.
Measuring Nano Particles
Resolution Limit Test....
The DIY AFM system with 12bits controller can resolve 0.5 nm which is similar to height of 2 carbon atom layers on HOPG (Highly Ordered Pyrolytic Graphite) surface.