The tip is dragged directly across the surface. While it provides high-resolution data for hard materials, the frictional forces can damage soft biological samples.
AFM can be operated in several modes depending on the delicacy of the sample and the information required: Scanning Probe Microscopy: Atomic Force Microsc...
At its core, an AFM operates much like a record player. It uses a microscopic probe, usually made of silicon or silicon nitride, attached to a flexible cantilever. As the probe scans across a surface, atomic-scale forces (such as , electrostatic, or capillary forces) cause the cantilever to bend or vibrate. Licensed by Google The tip is dragged directly across the surface
The tip hovers just above the surface, oscillating at its resonance frequency. It detects attractive forces without touching the sample, making it ideal for the most fragile specimens. It uses a microscopic probe, usually made of