By Molecular Analysis Facility (MAF)
Make/Model: Cypher Location: MolES G44G The Cypher AFM is a high-resolution instrument for imaging in inert atmosphere and liquids. This AFM is equipped with a wide range of environmental controls including controlled gas or liquid, as well as temperatures from 0-250 °C. This AFM is also capable of a new drive technique, called "blue drive". Asylum Research's blueDrive Photothermal Excitation option for atomic force microscopes (AFMs) makes tapping mode techniques simpler, more stable, and more quantitative. Though the typical piezo drive is favored for design simplicity, the response of the cantilever is often far from ideal. Asylum's blueDrive excitation mechanism produces an almost perfect response by directly exciting the cantilever photothermally. This provides significant performance and ease of use benefits for all tapping mode techniques. Key Capabilities - Environmental chamber for imaging in inert conditions - Low noise, great for high resolution and electrical characterization - Liquid imaging capabilities (water and dilute buffers) - Electrical modes (Conduction AFM, scanning Kelvin probe, piezoresponse) Data Produced - High resolution images of topography, phase, amplitude, etc Example Applications - The Cypher is often used to characterize the electrical response of perovskites and other conducting surfaces. - It can also be used to measure sample topography and determine surface roughness. Compatible Samples - Samples must be 12 mm x 12 mm or smaller. - Sample must be mounted on magnetic pucks (15 mm pucks are recommended) - Samples can be analyzed in liquid. Liquid analysis requires additional training and all liquids must be approved in advance.
