How to perform an AFM measurement in ScanAsyst® mode on Bruker® AFM systems with Nanoscope® software, using PNP-TR AFM tips - NanoWorld®

Pyrex-Nitride oxide sharpened, pyramidal tip

This is a how-to-use step-by-step instruction on how to set up and scan in ScanAsyst® mode using the respective NanoWorld® AFM probe.

This instruction is valid for the following NanoWorld® ScanAsyst® mode AFM probes:

  • ScanA
  • PNP-TR, small cantilever
  • PNP-TRS
  1. Steps

  2. Step 1 - select AFM Experiment

    • In Choose an Experiment Category: select ScanAsyst®
    • In Select Experiment Group: select ScanAsyst® in Air
    • In Select Experiment: select ScanAsyst® in Air
  3. Step 2 - disable Smart Engage

    • If Engage icon in Workflow Toolbar shows Smart Engage symbol, Smart Engage is enabled
    • In Microscope, select Engage Settings
    • In Engage Mode dropdown menu change from Smart to Standard. Confirm
    • Smart Engage is now disabled
  4. Step 3 - save Experiment

    • In Experiment select Save Experiment As
    • Save Experiment as e.g. 'ScanAsyst in Air – Standard Engage'
    • Use this Experiment in the future
  5. Step 4 - load Experiment

    • If steps 1, 2 and 3 have been completed once, when opening NanoScope software again, skip these 3 steps and start directly with step 4
    • In Choose an Experiment Category: select ScanAsyst®
    • In Select Experiment Group: select ScanAsyst® in Air
    • In Select Experiment: select ScanAsyst in Air – Standard Engage
    • Smart Engage is now automatically disabled
  6. Step 5 - mount and select AFM probe

    • Mount ScanAsyst® probe into AFM probe holder
    • In ScanAsyst® in Air select Setup
    • In Probe I'll be using select New Probe of type
    • From dropdown menu select ScanAsyst HR
  7. Step 6 - adjust laser

    • In ScanAsyst® in Air select Setup
    • Adjust laser on AFM cantilever
    • Adjust laser on detector
    • Maximize SUM signal
  8. Step 7 - focus on sample / AFM tip reflection

    • In ScanAsyst® in Air select Navigate
    • In Focus Sample: select Sample (default) or Tip Reflection
    • Focus on sample, respectively on AFM tip reflection, by moving the scan head up or down
  9. Step 8 - set scan size and engage AFM probe

    • In ScanAsyst® in Air select Check Parameters
    • Adjust Scan Size
    • Select Engage
  10. Step 9 - scan sample, check and adjust scan parameters

    • Scan the sample
    • Check and adjust Scan Size if needed
    • Check and adjust Scan Rate (i.e. scan speed) if needed
Bruker®, Nanoscope® and ScanAsyst® are trademarks of Bruker Corporation

For detailed information about our AFM probe product series please see below: