Difference between revisions of "Lab Manual: Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)"
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==Roadmap scenarios and milestones== | ==Roadmap scenarios and milestones== | ||
| − | The AFM can be used both for A basic "mini-lab" homework problem, and also for more involved projects. This section will outline the mini-lab and provide one possible outline for a | + | The AFM can be used both for A basic "mini-lab" homework problem, and also for more involved projects. This section will outline the mini-lab and provide one possible outline for extended, for instance as a final project. You are encouraged to devise much more creative uses for the AFM in final projects and beyond. |
===AFM mini-lab=== | ===AFM mini-lab=== | ||
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#Measure the vibrational noise floor in the AFM system. | #Measure the vibrational noise floor in the AFM system. | ||
#Use the AFM to record the vibrational noise spectrum of a cantilever probe (Experiment ##) | #Use the AFM to record the vibrational noise spectrum of a cantilever probe (Experiment ##) | ||
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| + | ===Extended AFM work=== | ||
| + | #Image several different samples with the AFM and measure physical dimensions of imaged features. | ||
| + | #Use the AFM to measure the elastic modulus and surface adhesion force of several different samples. | ||
| + | #Use the AFM and a gold-cotaed tip to pull and unravel proteins to determine their structures. | ||
Revision as of 21:38, 4 June 2010
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Objectives and learning goals
- Learn function of the 20.309 AFM and the relationships between its components.
- Understand how to extract quantitative information from this tool.
- Use the AFM to estimate the value of a fundamental physical constant.
- Possibly to take images, probe sample stiffness, and/or perform protein pulling.
- Analyze sources of uncertainty and noise in the system that limit the accuracy of measurements.
Roadmap scenarios and milestones
The AFM can be used both for A basic "mini-lab" homework problem, and also for more involved projects. This section will outline the mini-lab and provide one possible outline for extended, for instance as a final project. You are encouraged to devise much more creative uses for the AFM in final projects and beyond.
AFM mini-lab
- Work with a TA or Instructor.
- Learn the signal paths and connections of the system.
- Practice aligning the AFM optics.
- Learn how to calibrate the AFM to extract useful physical data.
- Measure the vibrational noise floor in the AFM system.
- Use the AFM to record the vibrational noise spectrum of a cantilever probe (Experiment ##)
Extended AFM work
- Image several different samples with the AFM and measure physical dimensions of imaged features.
- Use the AFM to measure the elastic modulus and surface adhesion force of several different samples.
- Use the AFM and a gold-cotaed tip to pull and unravel proteins to determine their structures.
