What kind of information can be obtained with these instruments?
The following information can be obtained with our SPM instruments:
- Surface morphology. Topography with resolution below 1 nm.
- Electrical conductivity (c‐AFM). Quantitative local electrical resistance measurements.
- Mechanical properties (QNM Peakforce). Quantitative local measurement of the elastic modulus, adhesion, stiffness, energy dissipation and deformation on surfaces.
- Local electrical potential (KPM). Qualitative measurements of local charge distribution.
- Magnetic properties (MFM). Magnetic properties analysis under magnetic fields.
- Closed loop long range Z-scanner (Pico Force) for force spectroscopy on large biomolecules
- Nanomechanical studies by using Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy. Pull‐push experiments for inter and intra-molecular force measurements, with 1 pN resolution.
- Electro-chemical properties (EC‐SPM). Study of chemical reactions on surfaces under controlled environments.
- Piezo-electric properties (PFM). Using the tip as electrode and deformation sensor.
- Thermal dependence. Capacity to measure in the 250 K to 500 K range.
- Topography based in ambient Scanning Tunnel Microscopy (STM).
Sample requirements
The sample should be immobilized onto a flat substrate (for instance, biomolecules should be immobilized onto a mica surface via adsorption or via a covalent procedure).
The sample should exhibit a lower roughness than the range of the piezo scanner.
The size of the sample should be small enough to fit inside of the microscope, around 1 cm2 in surface and 0.5 cm in thickness.
Types of samples that can be studied with the environmental SPMs include:
- Biological samples (DNA, proteins and peptides; cells, viruses and bacteria; biological tissues, etc.).
- Organic and inorganic thin films.
- Gels and Polymers.
Technical Specifications
Enviroment: Air, liquid and electrochemical cell
Temperature range: [-35, 200] ˚C
Rango escáner: J) 200 µm x 200 µm x 5 µm E) 12 µm x 12 µm x 3 µm
Magnetic field: No
Images
- Fig 1: Air topography of Rizobacteria
- Fig 2: Force spectroscopy of proteins with a biofunctionalized AFM tip
- Fig 3: Graphene nanoflakes on mica
- Fig 4: Topography and magnetic signal (phase contrast) from a focus ion beam fabricated nanostructure.
- Fig 5: Simultaneous Topography and electrical conductivity from nanoelectrodes.