Instruction manual

Head, Probe and Sample Preparation

Laser Alignment

80 MultiMode SPM Instruction Manual Rev. B

Etched Silicon Tips (TappingMode)

1. In this procedure, shining the laser beam on a piece of white paper serves as a guide to

aligning the laser beam with the end of the cantilever.

2. Verify the laser beam is visible on the surface below. If it is not, turn the front-right laser

control knob counter-clockwise until the laser spot appears on the surface below.

3. Turn the front-right laser control knob clockwise to move the laser in the X positive direction

until the laser spot disappears from the surface below. Turn the front-rear laser control knob

counter-clockwise until the laser spot just reappears. The laser is now positioned at the edge

of the substrate (see Point 1 in Figure 5.2b).

Figure 5.2b Etched Silicon Tip Laser Alignment

4. Turn the back-left laser control knob clockwise or counter-clockwise to move the laser in the

Y direction (parallel to the substrate edge and perpendicular to the cantilever) until the beam

crosses the cantilever and a shadow appears over the laser spot on the surface below. The

laser is now positioned over the cantilever (see Point 2 in Figure 5.2b).

5. Verify that the laser is deflecting off the cantilever by moving the laser on, over, and off the

cantilever by turning the back-left laser control knob less than 1/8 of a turn.

6. Turn the front-right laser control knob counter-clockwise to move the laser in the X negative

direction on the cantilever until the laser crosses the tip-end of the cantilever and falls on the

surface below.

7. Move the laser onto the tip-end of the cantilever by reversing the direction of the front-right

laser control knob clockwise until the spot disappears from the surface below (see Point 3 in

Figure 5.2b).

CAUTION: Use extreme caution if you choose to remove the optical head and

hold it over a piece of paper. Hold the head firmly, and be mindful

of the wire between the head and base. Dropping the optical head

would most likely result in damage and could result in necessary

factory repairs.

Reﬂections on Laser or View Screen

On cantilever leg or tip