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Park SPM Modes

Get the data you need with Park’s selection of scanning modes

Park AFM features a comprehensive range of scanning modes that can collect a wide array of data types accurately and efficiently. From the world's only True Non-Contact™ mode that preserves tip sharpness and sample integrity to advanced Magnetic Force Microscopy, Park Systems offers the most innovative, accurate modes in the AFM industry.

 

Park Systems offers some of the most innovative standard imaging modes in the AFM industry. Park AFM's True Non-Contact™ mode is the world's only truly non-contact AFM scanning mode while our standard scanning mode is among the most accurate available on the market.

True Non-Contact Mode

Park AFM features the only true non-contact standard imaging mode. This mode preserves tip sharpness and sample integrity for better and more accurate scans with less minimal maintenance required.

When True Non-Contact™ mode is activated, a piezoelectric modulator vibrates a cantilever at a small amplitude and fixed frequency near the intrinsic resonance of the cantilever. As the tip approaches the sample, the van der Waals attractive force between the tip and sample influences the amplitude and phase of the cantilever's vibration. These amplitude and phase changes are monitored by the patented Z-servo feedback system of the Park AFM series, which also maintains a few nanometers tip-surface distance without damaging the sample surface or tip.

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atomic-steps-of-inas

Atomic steps of InAs on GaSb substrate Scan size: 2 µm

Specifications :

Tip-sample distance : 3 nm (typical)
Cantilever oscillation frequency : 1 - 600 kHz
Cantilever oscillation amplitude : 1 - 2 nm (typical)

Phase Imaging

Phase Imaging with Park AFM provides an accurate measurement of mechanical properties, especially for highly sensitive samples whose topography is best measured using True Non-Contact™ mode. Phase data that contains the mechanical property of the sample is acquired by monitoring the phase lag between the signal that drives the cantilever oscillation and the cantilever oscillation output signal.

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phase-image-of-pyrene-carbonate

Phase image of Pyrene Carbonate Scan size: 30 µm

Specifications :

Phase resolution :0.005°

Lateral Force Microscopy (LFM)

Lateral Force Microscopy with Park AFM provides information on both surface friction and topography by measuring the cantilever deflection in both horizontal and vertical directions. The data acquired in LFM with Park AFM is very useful for studying a sample whose surface consists of inhomogeneous compounds.

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Lateral-Force-Microscopy


Contact Mode

The standard mode of Park AFM is Contact Mode in which the cantilever comes in contact with the surface and the cantilever deflection is measured to produce highly accurate topographic data.

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Specifications :

Tip-sample distance control :Contact

Chemical Force Microscopy (CFM)

Park AFM’s Chemical Force Microscopy accurately measures the sample’s chemical properties by using functionalized tips. This technique can also be used in studying simple or complex chemical structures such as proteins and DNA.

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Electrochemical Microscopy (EC-AFM)

In Park AFM’S EC-AFM the nanoscale structures of electrochemical reactions on the electrode surface can be observed. Users typically perform voltammetry and corrosion experiments using an electrochemistry cell and a choice of potentiostat/galvanostat depending on the electrochemical application of interest.

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Park Systems offers a selection of advanced modes that can provide not only topographic imaging but also characterization measurements with respect to the dielectric and piezoelectric property of the sample. These modes include Enhanced Electric Force Microscopy (Enhanced EFM), Dynamic Contact Electric Force Microscopy (DC-EFM), and Piezoelectric Force Microscopy (PFM).

Enhanced Electric Force Microscopy (EFM)

The Enhanced EFM mode of Park AFM offers four separate options: Standard EFM, Dynamic-Contact EFM (DC-EFM), Piezoelectric Force Microscopy (PFM), and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM). The movement of a cantilever is influenced by the electric force between cantilever and sample; cantilever displacement can be analyzed for potential, charge, or electric domains.

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Enhanced-Electric-Force-Microscopy

Specifications :

Bias range : - 10 V - +10 V

Dynamic Contact EFM (DC-EFM)*

DC-EFM is capable of extremely high definition EFM results. Patented by Park Systems, DC-EFM actively applies an AC voltage bias to the cantilever and detects the amplitude and the phase change of the cantilever modulation with respect to the applied bias. DC-EFM provides the ability to monitor the second harmonic of the modulation which can be compared to the capacitance of a sample and enhances the electric force signal from the background intermolecular force.

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Specifications :

Bias range : - 10 V - +10 V
AC bias frequency : 0 - 100 kHz (1 Hz frequency resolution)
US Patent No  :  6185991

Piezoelectric Force Microscopy (PFM)*

Park Systems’ patented PFM mode accurately measures electric domain structures such as polarity in ferroelectric or piezoelectric samples. This mode includes independent control of an applied AC and DC bias, and local amplitude/phase vs. DC bias spectroscopy.

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Piezoelectric-Force-Microscopy

Specifications :

AC bias frequency : 0 - 100 kHz
Phase resolution : 0.005°
DC Bias :  - 10 - +10 V (-2kv - +2kV, optional)
US Patent No  : 6185991

Piezoelectric Response Spectroscopy

The Piezoelectric Response Spectroscopy mode of Park AFM measures the local amplitude/phase response to a DC bias between tip and sample surface. The polarity of local piezoelectric domain switches depend on the sign and amount of applied voltage.

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Piezoelectric-Response-Spectroscopy

Specifications :

External high voltage kit required
DC Bias : -2kV ~ +2kV

Park Systems offers a range of electrical scanning modes that can be used by engineers and researchers for highly accurate data measurement on conductance, sample resistance, and other electrical and topographic properties.


Conductive AFM

Conductive AFM mode with Park AFM provides accurate electrical conductivity information for material processing and characterization of electrical defects in nanomaterials such as nanotubes, conductive polymers, and semiconductors. It can also be used for detailed investigations of a sample’s properties by measuring leakage current and I/V curves of the sample.

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Scanning Capacitance Microscopy (SCM)

SCM mode with Park AFM provides doping concentration information over the sample surface by measuring the capacitance change between tip and sample. The module enables a variable resonator frequency, which allows for a wide RF bandwidth capable of monitoring a large range of doping concentrations by selecting the most sensitive frequency of the resonator for a specific doping range.

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Scanning-Capacitance-Microscopy

Specifications :

Frequency range : 600 MHz - 1500 MHz, selectable by software in ~0.1 MHz resolution
Frequency resolution : 2 kHz
Capacitance sensitivity : < 1 aF
SCM Phase resolution : : 0.005°

Scanning Spreading Resistance Microscopy (SSRM)

SSRM mode with Park AFM precisely measures the local resistance over a sample surface by using a conductive AFM tip to scan a small region while applying a DC bias.

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STM-image-of-YBCO

STM image of YBCO super conductor Scan size: 2 µm

Specifications :

Bias range : -10 V - +10 V
Carrier concentration : 1015 - 1020 /cm3
Lateral resolution : < 10 nm

Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy (STS)

STS mode with Park AFM provides current-voltage (I/V) spectroscopy data at user-defined points which can then be used to analyze the local electronic states of the sample.

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Specifications :

Batch measurement on user defined points (max.128 x 128 points)
Applicable bias range: -10 V to 10 V
Current resolution: < 0.1 pA (ULCA option)

Time-resolved Photocurrent Mapping (Tr-PCM)

Tr-PCM mode with Park AFM measures the photoelectric response to time-resolved illumination without interference from unwanted light sources, including the feedback laser. This mode features a laser illumination module and acquisition and analysis software.

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Specifications :

Electric current resolution: 0.03 nA
Acquisition time resolution: 20 µsec
Automatic analysis of life-time from photocurrent curves

Park Systems offers a range of force measurement modes that can be used to easily analyze the sample’s material properties and ensure accurate measurement each time with its unique spring calibration.

Force-Distance Spectroscopy

Force-Distance Spectroscopy mode with Park AFM provides mechanical property information by measuring the vertical force that the tip applies to the surface and the sample displacement while the probe is brought into contact with the surface of the sample at a specific location. It can also be used to analyze surface contaminants’ viscosity, lubrication thickness, and local variations in the elastic properties of the surface.

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Force-Distance-Spectroscopy

Specifications :

Batch measurement on user specified points
Force volume image: maximum 128 × 128
Force resolution: < 10 pN

Force Volume Imaging

Force volume imaging with Park AFM provides a detailed map of the sample’s material properties by plotting parameters such as stiffness, cantilever snap-in, and adhesion. Parameters extracted from Force Distance (F-D) Spectroscopy curves are summarized into a matrix that quickly and easily allows researchers to gain insights about samples properties.

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Force-Volume-Imaging

Specifications :

Up to 256 × 256 points
Automatic calculation of various F-D parameters (stiffness, snap-in, adhesion)
Analysis software includes batch analysis and export

Spring Constant Calibration by Thermal Method

Maintaining the proper spring calibration is critical for AFM force data accuracy. Hence, Park AFM provides spring calibration using the thermal method, giving you accurate readings every time.

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Specifications :

Automatic detection of the spring constant
Automatic/manual cantilever deflection sensitivity calibration

Park Systems offers a range of magnetic scan modes that easily analyze the magnetic properties of a sample. Park AFM’s Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) module provides a user-friendly visualization of magnetic variations over the sample surface while the tunable magnetic field mode provides insight into a sample’s magnetic domain distribution.

Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM)

MFM mode with Park AFM measures the magnetic variations over a sample surface by detecting the interaction between a magnetized cantilever and the sample surface. The cantilever measures surface topography on the first scan, then lifts and follows either the stored surface topography (lift mode, available only in selected countries) maintaining a constant distance from the sample surface or a variable distance above the sample surface at a fixed height.

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Magnetic-Force-Microscopy

Specifications :

Lateral resolution: 20 nm (depending on the tip size of the cantilever used)
Phase resolution: 0.01°

Tunable Magnetic Field MFM (TM-MFM)

TM-MFM mode with Park AFM measures the magnetic domain distribution with respect to magnetic field change.

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Specifications :

Requires a magnetic field generator accessory.
Adjustable magnetic field of -300 gauss ~ +300 gauss
Field resolution: 3 gauss

Magnetic Field Generator

The magnetic field generator applies an external magnetic field to the sample. The field can be changed from ±300 gauss and is parallel to the sample surface. The changes in magnetic structure can be observed through one of Park AFM’s MFM options.

Specifications :

Applying external magnetic field parallel to sample surface
Tunable magnetic field
Range: -300 - 300 gauss
Composed of pure iron core & two solenoid cells

Park Systems offers a set of mechanical scanning modes that easily measure the mechanical properties of a sample. Each mode features Park AFM’s trademark accuracy that allows users to collect reliable data.

Force Modulation Microscopy (FMM)

Park AFM’s FMM mode measures mechanical property variations over a sample’s surface. An AC modulation is applied to the cantilever while in contact with the sample surface, allowing you to monitor changes in amplitude and phase and gain insights into qualitative elastic and viscous responses.

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Force-Modulation-Microscopy

Specifications :

Adjustable modulation frequency: 1 kHz - 600 kHz
Frequency resolution: 0.02 Hz
Amplitude detection: < 0.1 nm
Phase resolution: 0.005°

Nanoindentation

Park AFM’s Nanoindentation mode uses excessive force on the cantilever to indent the sample and measure its mechanical properties including hardness and elasticity.

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Specifications :

Batch measurement on user specified points or grid
Indenting travel range: 12 µm
Displacement resolution: 0.1nm
Load Application: Piezoelectric Actuator
Maximum Load: 100 nN ~ 100 µN
Load Resolution: 100 nN

Nanolithography

Park AFM’s Nanolithography mode allows users to manipulate and create patterning on the sample surface through applied force or voltage. Tip position for lithography can be easily controlled by importing customized vector drawings or raster (bitmap) images.

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Nanolithography

Specifications :

Lithography method: vector and/or raster scan
Bias range: ±10V
Bias noise: 20 μV
High Voltage Toolkit required for voltages over ±10V

Park Systems offers a scanning thermal mode that easily measures the thermal properties of a sample. This mode features Park AFM’s trademark accuracy that allows users to collect reliable data.

Scanning Thermal Microscopy (SThM)

The SThM mode of Park AFM allows the user to find the local thermal conductivity of a sample by measuring heat transfer between tip and sample using a micro-fabricated probe.

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Scanning-Thermal-Microscopy
Temperature map of the Pole-Tip-Recession of an active hard disk slider Scan size 20µm x 20µm

Specifications :

Operational modes: Conductivity Contrast Microscopy, Thermal Contrast Microscopy
Tip radius and device material of the probe: 100 nm, NiCr & Pd
Thermal spatial resolution: < 100 nm
Allowable current limit: 2.16 mA
Operating temperature: up to 150 °C
Temperature resolution: 0.1 °C
Noise level in temperature: 0.05 °C