Drive-amplitude-modulation atomic force microscopy: From vacuum to liquids

作者：Jaafar Miriam; Martinez Martin David; Cuenca Mariano; Melcher John; Raman Arvind; Gomez Herrero Julio^*

来源：Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology, 2012, 3: 336-344.

DOI：10.3762/bjnano.3.38

• atomic force microscopy
• control systems
• dissipation
• frequency modulation
• noncontact

We introduce drive-amplitude-modulation atomic force microscopy as a dynamic mode with outstanding performance in all environments from vacuum to liquids. As with frequency modulation, the new mode follows a feedback scheme with two nested loops: The first keeps the cantilever oscillation amplitude constant by regulating the driving force, and the second uses the driving force as the feedback variable for topography. Additionally, a phase-locked loop can be used as a parallel feedback allowing separation of the conservative and nonconservative interactions. We describe the basis of this mode and present some examples of its performance in three different environments. Drive-amplutide modulation is a very stable, intuitive and easy to use mode that is free of the feedback instability associated with the noncontact-to-contact transition that occurs in the frequency-modulation mode.

• 出版日期2012-4-18