Gadgets Manual

Asylum AFM-1 and Asylum AFM-2 have the same model of controller and software, and the basic operation procedures of AC and contact imaging is the same. AFM-1 is a routine use system for typical material surface imaging, while AFM-2 is usually used for extended research application since it has more functions built in.

Generated by: Jiangdong (JD) Deng
Two AFM configurations are available in AFM-1 for different applications: Asylum MFP-3D Stand Alone (MFP-3D-SA) system, and Asylum MFP-3D Bio-Fluorescent (MFP-3D-BIO) system.
Enclosed in the hood, MFP-3D-SA system usually has better noise performance, and is for general purposes where higher resolution is required.
The MFP-3D-BIO system is combined with an Olympus(x71) inverted fluorescence microscope, and is appropriate for many biological samples.
Currently, two configurations share the same AFM head, the same X-Y scanner, and controller. Based on your measurement, you need to switch the head and the X-Y scanner between to the base of choice. The –SA (black box base) is the default configuration. Please replace the head to this configuration when your work is complete.
AFM-1 has force measurement and nanolithography functions built in. Please contact Jiangdong (JD) Deng for extra information and training.

Cantilever Selection:
The Asylum AFM may be used with a variety of cantilevers from different vendors, such as Olympus, Veeco, Nanoworld, Nanosensors, and Asylum. Table 1 shows the specification of Olympus cantilevers for AC and contact mode.

The selection of cantilever depends on your specific application and sample. Usually, for hard materials (Si, SiO2…), a stiffer cantilever (resonant frequency ~250-300 kHz) is recommended, while the soft cantilever with resonant frequency ~ 30 kHz is good for cells and other soft surfaces.

Get pdf Asylum MFP-3D AFM-1&2 Operation Manual