MFP-3D Procedural Operation ‘Manualette’
Basic Operation Procedures for the Asylum Research MFP-3D™ Atomic Force Microscope Ryan Fuierer, Ph.D. based on software version 060513
Version IX (9/2006)
Section Table of Contents: Page
Disclaimer 2
I. Loading the cantilever 3
II. Laser Alignment 4
III. Contact Mode Operation 7
IV. Image Channels/ Scaling/ Flattening 9
V. Saving Images 10
VI. Determination of Spring Constant 11
VII. AC Mode Imaging 16
VIIB. AC Mode imaging IN FLUID 19
VIII. Shut Down 21
IX. Force Spectroscopy / Force Curve Acquisition 22
X. Offline Data Analysis 28
XI. Empirical Tricks 36
XII. Miscellaneous Software Procedures 38
XIII. Troubleshooting 41
XIV. Common Commands 45
XV. RFs Quick Reference 47
© 2005, © 2006 MFP-3D photo courtesy of Aleks Labuda Ryan’s MFP-3D™ Operation Manualette, Version IX 9/2006 2
The purpose of this ‘Manualette’ is to offer new users some documentation on how to procedurally operate an Asylum Research MFP-3D™ AFM. It’s like a manual, but more brief and to the point regarding procedures. Its inception was to alleviate time spent training lab members, and has evolved into a document to help new or sporadic users how to navigate the software, and be more efficient at operating their AFM. Essentially, I’d like your operational learning curve to be reduced so you can be more efficient in the lab.
It is assumed that the MFP-3D™ manual has been perused, such that I am not responsible for omitting such common sense precautions as: don’t stare into the SLD, don’t drop or abuse the equipment, or don’t leave the controller teetering on the edge of the bath tub. It is an expensive, high precision instrument, and should be treated with great care.
This Manualette: -is broken down into sections that are in a logical progression of obtaining AFM images, or simple force spectroscopy experiments, and the subsequent data analysis. - only discusses operation of the MFP-3D™ itself, and does not include any optical microscopy techniques, if your MFP happens to be sitting on an IO. - is in continual development, so more insightful, updated versions occur every few months. The next version will have descriptive procedural electrical characterization and lithography techniques in it, as well as a section describing what most of the features in every software panel do (in a procedural sense). Regarding the latter, for now just look in the help menus- they are there for a reason.
If you are not familiar with Igor, you should read through the getting started manual that comes with the software.
I also suggest when updating new software from Asylum, read the ‘what’s new’ read me files; they are often very descriptive.