A DIY AFM Whokshop
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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......
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Finish edges of the parts.
This Time...we Use Instant Glue....
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In stead of solder, all the structures are glued by instant glue, which makes assembly easier and healthier.
Wiring the Scanner....
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Use solder iron for wiring cables of the scanner.
Gluing the Z Axis Transducer of the Scanner
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Very important!
Assembling the AFM Head
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Again....glue everything.....
The Optical and Mechanical Parts Are Done!
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Just put one magnet on top of the Z transducer.
Performance Evaluation
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The optomechanical part is connected to a AFM controller
Low Cost AFM Calibration Sample: DVD Data Tracks
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Use the DVD data tracks (pitch= 740 nm) for calibrating scanning range of the scanner.
Measuring the AFM Calibration Sample (NT MDT TGQ1)
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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
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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
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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
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20 nm Squares and 1.4 nm features are clearly seen.
Measuring Nano Particles
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Resolution Limit Test....
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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.