Microscope Base

The base of the MultiMode 8 system supports the scanner and houses much of the electronics of the SPM. Several important switches are located on the top of the microscope base and critical signal output information is displayed on the screen at the front.

Switches

• Mode Selector: Switches the microscope between different SPM modes—STM, AFM, or Tapping. Correctly setting the mode with this switch is the first step in setting up the microscope.

• Motor Control: Moves the probe tip away from or towards the sample surface. The switch is labeled with reference to the probe (moves it "Up" or "Down"); however, the SPM head actually remains stationary while the sample is raised or lowered. For simplicity, just remember:
  • Up = increase tip/sample distance
  • Down = decrease tip/sample distance

Displays

The display on the front of the microscope provides readings of various outputs from the photodetector. The display is divided into 3 regions:

• The top left region displays either the RMS (when the system is set to Tapping) or the VERT (when the system is set to AFM).
• The top right region displays either the VERT (when the system is set to Tapping) or the HORIZ (when the system is set to AFM).
• The bottom section always displays the SUM signal.

All outputs are in volts. For more information see MultiMode 8 SPM Voltage Meters.

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