Instruction manual

Interleave Scanning and LiftMode
Use of LiftMode with TappingMode
224 MultiMode SPM Instruction Manual Rev. B
12.5.5 Cantilever Oscillation Amplitude
The selection of the oscillation amplitude in LiftMode depends on the quantity to be measured. For
force gradients which are small in magnitude but occur over relatively large distances (sometimes
hundreds of nm, as with magnetic or electric forces), the oscillation amplitude can be large, which
for some applications may be beneficial. The Lift scan height must be correspondingly large so
that the tip does not strike the surface. However, the lateral resolution of far field (MFM or EFM)
measurements decreases with distance from the surface. Typically, the resolution is limited to a
value (in nm) roughly equal to the Lift scan height; see Chapter 13 and Chapter 14.
Small amplitudes must be used to sense force gradients, such as Van der Waals forces, which occur
over short distances (typically a few nm). As much of the cantilever travel as possible should be
within the range of the force gradient.