page_title: Scanning ion-conductance microscopy
section_title: Constant-z mode
hierarchical_section_title: Scanning ion-conductance microscopy / Imaging modes / Constant-z mode
caption_attribution_description: English: picture representing the constant-z mode of the SICM
context_page_description: Scanning ion-conductance microscopy is a scanning probe microscopy technique that uses an electrode as the probe tip. SICM allows for the determination of the surface topography of micrometer and even nanometer-range structures in aqueous media conducting electrolytes. The samples can be hard or soft, are generally non-conducting, and the non-destructive nature of the measurement allows for the observation of living tissues and cells, and biological samples in general.
  It is able to detect steep profile changes in samples and can be used to map a living cell's stiffness in tandem with its detailed topography, or to determine the mobility of cells during their migrations.
context_section_description: In constant-z mode, the micro-pipette is maintained at a constant z (height) while it is moved laterally and the resistance is monitored, its variations allowing for the reconstitution of the topography of the sample. This mode is fast but is barely used since it only works on very flat samples. If the sample has rugged surfaces, the pipette will either crash into it, or be too far for imaging most of the sample.
caption: Trajectory of a SICM probe in constant-z mode.
exif: {}