GE1338-Seeing is believing, or is it?

1st virtual field trip report

Name: ​Ali NADIFI

Introduction

In this report, we are going to be mainly looking at the Atomic Force Microscopy stepping
fairly quickly into what it looks like inside a lab especially a spectrometer. We will be basing
this report on the virtual trip conducted in class. We will be looking at the scope of the use of
AFM discussing main and complex ideas and broadening its use onto different areas of
knowledge.

Abstract:
1- Atomic Force Microscopy principle
2- Topography
3- Why do we use AFM
4- Difference between AFM, SEM and TEM
5- Conclusion:different approach to the use of AFM
6 -Figures
7- Bibliography

1- Atomic Force Microscopy principle:

First, let us define what an Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is in the first place. AFM is a
scanning microscope that probes a sample’s surface. When it is moved along its surface the
Lazer deviation (through interatomic forces) permits to measure of the sample’s profile
thereby allowing to check the sample’s topography. An AFM is composed of the following
parts, a laser, mirror, photodetector, amplifier, register, sample, a probe, and a cantilever. As
seen in the figure below, the tip is driven to move up and down during movement. This
causes less touching surfaces with the sample thereby creating less damage. The oxford
instrument research describes the process of AFM as:” ​nanoscale tip attached to a
cantilever which forms a spring. As the tip touches the surface, the cantilever bends, and the
bending is detected using a laser diode and a split photodetector. This bending is indicative
of the tip-sample interaction force.”

2- Topography:

When it comes to the topography of the AFM, there are different modes with different
characteristics. The modes are divided in terms of whether or not the tip has contacted or
not with the sample or if it taps the latter. In a contact mode, the tip of the probe always
touches the sample and is the fastest of all the topographic modes as seen in figure 2. In a
non-contact mode, the is no touching of the surface. as seen in figure 3 In the tapping mode,
the principle behind it is to use the imaging of air which avoids issues like friction and is
better for large samples as seen in figure 4.

In the contact mode, there is a high resolution of the topography, it can measure frictional
forces but there is the potential that the contact can damage the sample.In a non-contact
mode, there is a lower resolution of the sample since there is no contact which then means
that there is no damage to the sample. Lastly, in a tapping mode, there is a better resolution
and minimal damage to the sample.

3- Why do we use AFM?

We use AFM in order to have access to atomic resolution imagery of materials and surfaces
in order to be either studied or evaluated. It is used for the topography of soft thick/think
biological material to address issues related to cells or any other microscopic matter.
AFM is also very useful in pharmaceutical research as we can detect protein to protein
reactions to come up with new medicine or we can also use it to detect early stages of
cancer or other related diseases. There are many advantages to which experts could use
AFM. It requires easy sample preparation and can work with vacuum, air, and liquids. It
estimates accurately high and the 3D imaging even in a dynamic environment along with
accurate quantification of the surface roughness. However, some disadvantages include
limited vertical, magnification range, and scanning speed.

4- ​Difference between AFM, SEM and TEM

While there are alternative like Scanning Electrons Microscope SEM and Transition
Electrons Microscope TEM, the latter perform better or worse in some things relative to
AFM. For instance, AFM has a lower cost, can perform in any environment, has an unlimited
sample size yet has a poor depth of field.

5- Conclusion: A different approach to the use of AFM:

In a quite unconventional way of looking at AFM, art critics have always struggled to figure
out how old a painting is because there are so many different copies of the painting and
therefore cannot figure out which one is the original or cannot test out a painting in the fear
of permanently damaging the painting. AFM, and especially a non-contact mode, could allow
art experts and critics to date a piece of art be it a painting or a sculpture without damaging
the piece itself and while having more accurate data on the microscopic elements of an art
piece. The use of AFM in dating and evaluating the age of art pieces might bring the world of
science hand in hand with the world of art and expand the horizons in which both of these
seemingly different disciplines can work together.
6- Figures:

Figure 1: the underlying principle behind AFM

Figure 2 : AFM contact mode Figure 3: AFM non-contact mode

Figure 4 : AFM tapping mode

Lamprou, D., & Smith, J. (1970, January 01). Applications of AFM in Pharmaceutical
Sciences. Retrieved October 21, 2020, from
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4939-4029-5_20

O. (n.d.). How Does an AFM Microscope Work? Retrieved October 21, 2020, from
https://afm.oxinst.com/outreach/how-does-an-afm-microscope-work

V. (2016, June 2). Atomic Force Microscope. Retrieved October 19, 202, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gCf1sEn0UU