Tip wear and ScanAsyst

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Andres replied on Wed, Jul 28 2010 12:35 PM

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Same question here. I have several samples to look at and I would like to know if I need a diamond tip. As far as I knew it goes really soft on the surface.

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Stephen Minne replied on Wed, Jul 28 2010 9:39 PM

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Andres,

I don't think you need a diamond tip if you are concerned about tip wear in imaging (you may want to consider it if you are trying to do mechanical measurements on hard surfaces though - see the app note: Quantitative Mechanical Property Mapping at the Nanoscale with PeakForce QNM AN128.pdf

Check out this thread for a discussion on tip wear and force control with Peak Force Tapping: http://www.veeco.com/nanoscaleworld/forums/p/397/623.aspx#623

Steve

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Andres replied on Thu, Jul 29 2010 8:43 AM

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Thanks Stephen,

I'm only interested in topography. I was using ScanAsyst-Air tips but it seems that my surface is too rough (range can be around 1um). From time to time the scanner would ask me to withdraw because crash warnings (1 scan area is 5um but the other is 50um).  I had to go for another contact tip I had laying around.  Doesn't seem as sharp enough but seems to be holding OK.