Wear Characteristics of Atomic Force Microscope Probe Tips

Author(s):  
Koo-Hyun Chung ◽  
Dae-Eun Kim

In the field of nanotechnology, Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) which is based on the interactions between an extremely sharp probe tip and specimen, has been widely utilized. In the AFM and AFM-based applications, the probe tip wear problem should be carefully considered. In this work, the wear characteristics of silicon, silicon nitride, and diamond coated probe tip under light loads were investigated. In order to identify the structure of the AFM probe tips as well as the nature of wear, High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) analyses were utilized. Using the Archard’s wear equation, the degree of the probe tip wear was quantitatively assessed. Based on the experimental results and analysis, the plausible wear mechanisms of the AFM probe tips were proposed in an effort to understand the nano-scale wear.

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjeev Kumar Kanth ◽  
Anjli Sharma ◽  
Byong Chon Park ◽  
Woon Song ◽  
Hyun Rhu ◽  
...  

Abstract We have constructed a new nanomanipulator (NM) in a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) to fabricate carbon nanotube (CNT) tip to precisely adjust the length and attachment angle of CNT onto the mother atomic force microscope (AFM) tip. The new NM is composed of 2 modules, each of which has the degree of freedom of three-dimensional rectilinear motion x, y and z and one-dimensional rotational motion θ. The NM is mounted on the stage of a FE-SEM. With the system of 14 axes in total which includes 5 axes of FE-SEM and 9 axes of nano-actuators, it was possible to see CNT tip from both rear and side view about the mother tip. With the help of new NM, the attachment angle error could be reduced down to 0º as seen from both the side and the rear view, as well as, the length of the CNT could be adjusted with the precision using electron beam induced etching. For the proper attachment of CNT on the mother tip surface, the side of the mother tip was milled with focused ion beam. In addition, electron beam induced deposition was used to strengthen the adhesion between CNT and the mother tip. In order to check the structural integrity of fabricated CNT, transmission electron microscope image was taken which showed the fine cutting of CNT and the clean surface as well. Finally, the performance of the fabricated CNT tip was demonstrated by imaging 1-D grating and DNA samples with atomic force microscope in tapping mode.


2007 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 889-892 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Dunaevskii ◽  
A. N. Titkov ◽  
S. Yu. Larkin ◽  
A. B. Speshilova ◽  
S. E. Aleksandrov ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 121-123 ◽  
pp. 739-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.M. Chi ◽  
Z.D. Xiao ◽  
Xin Xing Xiao

Weng`an fauna in Guizhou, China provides a unique window for the evolution of the early life especially since the animal embryos and sponge is found there. Phosphatization makes the fossils preserve in details including cells and subcellular structure. Here we use atomic force microscope observing the surface of some three dimensional preserved embryo fossils and the ultra membrane-like structure is found under atomic force microscope (AFM) while such structure can`t be found under scanning electron microscope (SEM). The membrane-like structure is approximately 10nm in thickness which maybe one part of the fossil embryos or belong to another nano scale microfossils. Therefore, AFM provides a new method for the study of the ultra structure of the microfossils from Weng`an fauna.


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