Instruction manual

Fluid Operation
TappingMode in Fluids
Rev. B MultiMode SPM Instruction Manual 135
Figure 8.3a A 100µm, Narrow-legged, Si
3
N
4
Cantilever Fluid Tune Curve
• Manually adjust the Zoom in and Offset functions above the Cantilever Tune display.
Note: If the expected peak does not appear in the spectrum, choose another peak,
engage on the surface and disengage immediately. With the tip closer to the
surface, the peak at 8 to 9 kHz appears.
Adjust the Drive Amplitude until a desired probe RMS amplitude is obtained.
• An RMS amplitude of 0.5V is appropriate for soft samples and typically results from a
Drive Amplitude of 250-500mV. A Drive Amplitude >1.0V generally works poorly
with soft samples.
• For rougher samples, target 1-2V RMS amplitude. Experiment to find what level of
probe oscillation gives best results for specific applications.
a. Set the Scan Rate to 1Hz.
b. Set the Integral gain to 0.5.
c. Set the Proportional gain to 0.7.
d. Set the Z range to 50nm.
e. Select the Channel 1 Data type as Height.
f. Select the Channel 2 Data type as Amplitude.
g. Optional: Select the Channel 3 Data type as Phase.
• The RMS amplitude must be adjusted when the AFM tip is near the sample surface
(<50µm).
• Verify that the tip is very close to the sample surface when tuning the probe under fluid.