Operating InstructionseasyScan 2 AFMVersion 1.3
THE EASYSCAN 2 AFM10User inputs can optionally be measured in all Imaging and Spectroscopy modes.User outputs can be modulated in Spectroscopy measure
FEATURES11Compatible cantileversAFM Basic ModuleThe AFM Basic Module is required for using AFM Scan Heads.AFM Dynamic ModuleThe AFM Basic Module is re
THE EASYSCAN 2 AFM12Both the AFM Basic Module and the AFM Dynamic Module are required for using the AFM Mode Extension Module.AFM Video ModuleMicromet
COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM132. USB cable3. Mains cable4. easyScan 2 AFM Scan head(s) with AFM Video Camera (with AFM Video Module)5. Scan head case6. Sc
THE EASYSCAN 2 AFM1413. AFM Sample Stage (option)14. Micrometre Translation Stage (option)15. User's Guide; Translation Stage, Model: 9064 (with
CONNECTORS, INDICATORS AND CONTROLS154. Screwdriver, 2.3 mm5. Cantilever insertion tool (usually mounted in DropStop6. DropStop)7. Sample holder (with
THE EASYSCAN 2 AFM16The ControllerStatus lightsAll status lights on top of the Controller will light up for one second when the power is turned on.The
CONNECTORS, INDICATORS AND CONTROLS17point for some time. The tip is probably not in contact with the sample surface.green The scanner is not in a lim
INSTALLING THE EASYSCAN 2 AFM18Installing the easyScan 2 AFMThe following sections describe the installation of the easyScan 2 AFM.Important!To make h
INSTALLING THE HARDWARE19It is recommended to cover the instrument with a box to shield it from near infrared light from artificial light sources, bec
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INSTALLING THE EASYSCAN 2 AFM20Installing the AFM Video Module- Connect the Video Camera cable to the connector on the AFM Video Camera (Components, 4
STORING THE INSTRUMENT21First all status lights on top of the Controller briefly light up. Then the Scan Head lights and the lights of the detected mo
INSTALLING THE EASYSCAN 2 AFM22Installing the Software- Check that the computer on which you want to install the software fulfils the requirements lis
INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE23The setup program should start automatically. If this does not happen, pro-ceed as follows:- Open the easyScan 2 Installation
INSTALLING THE EASYSCAN 2 AFM24- Choose ‘Automatic installation’.- Click the default choice in all dialogs.The USB High Speed Serial Converter is now
INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE25Important!The easyScan 2 AFM Installation CD contains calibration information (.hed files) specific to your instrument, there
INSTALLING THE EASYSCAN 2 AFM26The red USB power light on the Controller should now light up, and the PC should now automatically detect the ‘USB Devi
INITIALISING THE CONTROLLER27Preparing for MeasurementThis chapter describes actions that you perform on a day-to-day basis as a preparation for your
PREPARING FOR MEASUREMENT28Installing the cantileverTo maximise ease of use, the Nanosurf easyScan 2 AFM is designed so that the cantilever can be ins
INSTALLING THE CANTILEVER29operating mode; the more flexible, long CONTR cantilever is generally used for the static operating mode.When you change to
PREPARING FOR MEASUREMENT30- Turn the scan-head upside-down.- Close the DropStop (figure Closing the DropStop).The laser beam is now blocked by the Dr
INSTALLING THE CANTILEVER31- Remove the DropStop.The laser beam is now unblocked, and the Probe Status light on the easy-Scan 2 Controller should now
PREPARING FOR MEASUREMENT32Installing the samplePreparing the SampleThe easyScan 2 AFM can be used to examine any material with a surface roughness th
INSTALLING THE SAMPLE33Calibration Sample KitThe samples supplied in the optional Calibration Sample kit are meant as test samples that can also be us
PREPARING FOR MEASUREMENT34mounted on the sample stage. You can either put the sample directly on the sample stage, or mount it on the sample holder (
INSTALLING THE SAMPLE35Important!Avoid all mechanical impact on the cantilever when placing the sample holder under the Scan head. Any impact will dam
A FIRST MEASUREMENT36A First MeasurementIn this chapter, step by step instructions are given as to how to operate the microscope and make a simple mea
PREPARING THE INSTRUMENT37Preparing the instrumentImportant!• Never touch the cantilever or the surface of the sample! Good results rely heavily on a
A FIRST MEASUREMENT38ing it with the Tab key.• The value of an activated parameter can be increased and decreased using the up and down arrow keys on
APPROACHING THE SAMPLE39Approaching the sampleTo start measuring, the tip must come within a fraction of a nanometer of the sample without touching it
4 The easyScan 2 AFM 7Features...8easyScan 2 Controller
A FIRST MEASUREMENT40The side view should look like figure Side view of the cantilever after manual coarse approach. You can use the cantilever as a r
APPROACHING THE SAMPLE41grated optics. The tip should not come closer to the sample than a few times the cantilever width. (figure View of the cantile
A FIRST MEASUREMENT42- If you are operating in Static Force mode, select a CONTR type canti-lever.In dynamic mode, the instrument will automatically d
STARTING A MEASUREMENT43- Select the ‘Easy level’ user interface mode.Now check that the set point and the feedback speed are set properly:- Click i
A FIRST MEASUREMENT44Reminder: Measurements on the micrometer/nanometer scale are very sen-sitive. Direct light, fast movements causing air flow and t
SELECTING A MEASUREMENT AREA45- Click on one corner of the region using the left mouse button, and keep the button pressed.- Drag the mouse to the oth
A FIRST MEASUREMENT46Storing the measurementWhen you are satisfied with your image and would like to keep it, you can take a snapshot of it by clickin
FINISHING47For an in depth introduction to the Nanosurf Report software, refer to the Introduction section of the Nanosurf Report online help.Finishin
IMPROVING MEASUREMENT QUALITY48Improving measurement qualityRemoving interfering signalsInterfering signals can be recognised because they have a fixe
JUDGING MEASUREMENT QUALITY49Electrical interferenceElectrical interference may be caused by interference in the electronics, or by electrostatic forc
52. Manual approach using the approach stage 403. Automatic final approach 41Starting a measurement ...
IMPROVING MEASUREMENT QUALITY50In the following cases the cantilever has to be replaced in order to re-estab-lish high image quality:• images in the c
ADJUSTING THE MEASUREMENT PLANE51Average, Plane fit or higher order filters can not be used.• The Z-Controller functions less accurately, because it h
IMPROVING MEASUREMENT QUALITY52Ideally, the XY-plane of the scanner has already been correctly aligned with the sample plane using the three Levelling
ADJUSTING THE MEASUREMENT PLANE53- Set Rotation to 90° to scan along the y-direction of the scanner.- If the scan line is not horizontal, alter the v
MEASUREMENT MODES54Measurement modesThis chapter instructs you on how to use the Dynamic Force, Static Force, Phase contrast, the Force Modulation, an
DYNAMIC FORCE55Both the Force Modulation mode and the Spreading Resistance mode are an extension of the Static Force mode.The procedure for a first St
MEASUREMENT MODES56vibration and a reference signal is measured. This phase shift changes when the resonance characteristic of the cantilever changes
PHASE CONTRAST57Phase measurementIn Phase contrast mode, the phase of the measured cantilever vibration is compared to the phase of a reference sine w
MEASUREMENT MODES58Force ModulationThe Force Modulation mode is an extension of the Static force mode. The static force acting on the cantilever is st
SPREADING RESISTANCE59- If necessary, increase the size of the window to make space for the new chart.- Select the ‘Color map’ chart type by .- Selec
TABLE OF CONTENTS6About this ManualThis manual gives instructions on how to set up and use your Nanosurf easyScan 2 AFM system. Installing the easySca
MEASUREMENT MODES60ple.• EFM cantilevers cannot be used, due to their insufficient width.- Install the cantilever as described in section Installing t
SIGNAL MODULE: S61The Signal ModulesThe Signal Modules consist of both electronics modules that are built into the Controller, and a break-out Connect
THE SIGNAL MODULES62The calibration of the monitor signals can be found by looking up the sig-nal calibration in the Scan Head Calibration Dialog, rea
SIGNAL MODULE: A63their signal names. The signal names and their function are listed in the tables Monitor Signals and Signal Module: A Signals.Signa
THE SIGNAL MODULES64The sum of the modulation inputs and the output value (for example of X-Axis) should not exceed the -10V - +10V range. The Excitat
SIGNAL MODULE: A65MaintenanceTo ensure fault free operation of the microscope the following instructions for maintenance have to be followed.Scan head
PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS66Problems and SolutionsThe problems described here can occur during normal operation of the microscope. If the suggested course
SIGNAL MODULE: A67- Change the cantilever if no improvement can be seen after these proce-dures.Set point driftWhen part of the scan line in the Line
PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS68The USB cable is not properly connected. In this case the USB power light on the Controller rear panel (figure The easyScan 2
NANOSURF SUPPORT69only happens when measuring in Dynamic Force Mode.’• If an error message was displayed: The exact text of the message, or at least i
7 The easyScan 2 AFMThe Nanosurf easyScan 2 AFM is an atomic force microscope system that can make nanometer scale resolution measurements of topograp
AFM THEORY70AFM TheoryScanning Probe MicroscopyThe easyScan 2 AFM is an atomic force microscope, which is part of the family of scanning probe microsc
THE NANOSURF EASYSCAN 2 AFM71damping of the cantilever vibration caused by the forces between the tip and the cantilever can be measured and used for
AFM THEORY72In dynamic operating modes, the cantilever is excited using a piezo ele-ment. This piezo is oscillated with a fixed amplitude at an operat
THE NANOSURF EASYSCAN 2 AFM73Scanner coordinate systemxy
THE EASYSCAN 2 AFM8FeatureseasyScan 2 ControllerElectronicsSoftwareElectronics size / weight 470 x 120 x 80mm / 2.4kgPower supply 90 - 240V~/ 30W 50/6
FEATURES9Computer requirementsComputer not included with system.Nanosurf easyScan 2 Scripting InterfaceNanosurf easyScan 2 Signal Module: SNanosurf ea
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