5. ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE (AFM).pdf
- 1. General microbiology Arthi Mohan ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE (AFM) Introduction The Atomic Force Microscope was invented by IBM scientist in 1982, just after the invention of the Scanning tunneling Microscope in 1980 by Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohler by IBM Research in Zurich. AFM was first used experimentally in 1986 and came to market for commercial sale in 1989. Definition The atomic force microscope (AFM) or scanning force microscope (SFM) is a type of scanning probe microscope whose primary roles include measuring properties such as magnetism, height, friction. The resolution is measured in a nanometer, which is much more accurate and effective than the optical diffraction limit. It uses a probe for measuring and collection of data involves touching the surface that has the probe. An image is formed when the scanning probe microscope raster-scans the probe over a section of the sample, measuring its local properties concurrently. They also have piezoelectric elements, which are electric charges that accumulate in selected solid materials like DNA, biological proteins, crystal, etc., to enable tiny accurate and precise movement during scanning upon an electric command. Working principle The Atomic Force Microscope works on the principle measuring intermolecular forces and sees atoms by using probed surfaces of the specimen in nanoscale. Its functioning is enabled by three of its major working principles that include Surface sensing, Detection, and Imaging. The Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) performs surface sensing by using a cantilever (an element that is made of a rigid block like a beam or plate, that attaches to the end of support, from which it protrudes making a perpendicularly flat connection that is vertical like a wall). The cantilever has a sharp tip which scans over the sample surface, by forming an attractive force between the surface and the tip when it draws closer to the sample surface. When it draws very close making contact with the surface of the sample, a repulsive force gradually takes control making the cantilever avert from the surface. During the deflection of the cantilever away from the sample surface, there is a change in direction of reflection of the beam and a laser beam detects the aversion, by reflecting off a beam from the flat surface of the cantilever. Using a positive-sensitive photo-diode (PSPD- a component that is based on silicon PIN diode technology and is used to measure the position of the integral focus of an incoming light signal), it tracks
- 2. General microbiology Arthi Mohan these changes of deflection and change in direction of the reflected beam and records them. The Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) takes the image of the surface topography of the sample by force by scanning the cantilever over a section of interest. Depending on how raised or how low the surface of the sample is, it determines the deflection of the beam, which is monitored by the Positive-sensitive photo-diode (PSDP). The microscope has a feedback loop that controls the length of the cantilever tip just above the sample surface, therefore, it will maintain the laser position thus generating an accurate imaging map of the surface of the image. Parts of the Atomic Force Microscope Atomic Force Microscopes have several techniques for measuring force interactions such as van der Waals, thermal, electrical and magnetic force interactions. AFM has the following parts that assist in controlling its functions. Modified tips which are used to detect the sample surface and undergo deflections Software adjustments used to image the samples. Feedback loop control – they control the force interactions and the tip positions using a laser deflector. The laser reflects from the back of the cantilever and the tip and while the tip interacts with the surface of the sample, the laser’s position on the photodetector is used in the feedback loop for tracking the surface of the sample and measurement. Deflection – The Atomic Force Microscope is constructed with a laser beam deflection system. The laser is reflected from the back of the AFM lever to the sensitive detector. They are made from silicon compounds with a tip radius of about 10nm.
- 3. General microbiology Arthi Mohan Force measurement – the AFM works and depends highly on the force interactions, they contribute to the image produced. The forces are measured by calculation of the deflection lever when the stiffness of the cantilever is known. This calculation is defined by Hooke’s law, defined as follows: F= -kz, where F is the force, k is the stiffness of the lever and z is the distance the lever is bent. Advantages of the Atomic Force Microscope Easy to prepare samples for observation It can be used in vacuums, air, and liquids. Measurement of sample sizes is accurate It has a 3D imaging It can be used to study living and non-living elements It can be used to quantify the roughness of surfaces It is used in dynamic environments. Disadvantages of the Atomic Force Microscope It can only scan a single nanosized image at a time of about 150x150nm. They have a low scanning time which might cause thermal drift on the sample. The tip and the sample can be damaged during detection. It has a limited magnification and vertical range.