page_title: Atomic force microscopy
section_title: Configuration
hierarchical_section_title: Atomic force microscopy / Overview / Configuration
caption_attribution_description: English: Typical configuration of AFM. As shown in the figure above, AFM typically consists of the following features.; Cantilever (1)&#160;: Small spring-like cantilever (1) is supported on the support (2) by means of a piezoelectric element (3) so as to oscillate the cantilever (1) at its eigen frequency&#160;; Sharp tip (4) which is fixed to open end of a cantilever (1) . Detector (5) configured to detect the deflection and motion of the cantilever (1) . Sample (6) will be measure by AFM are mounted on Sample stage (8). xyz-drive (7) which permits a sample (6) and Sample stage (8) to be displaced in x, y, and z directions with respect to a tip apex(4) Controllers and plotter (not shown). Here, numbers surrounded by parentheses like "(1)" are sign to indicate feature (see Fig.3.). Datum coordination system (0) is intended to indicates the x-y-z direction.
context_page_description: Atomic force microscopy or scanning force microscopy is a very-high-resolution type of scanning probe microscopy, with demonstrated resolution on the order of fractions of a nanometer, more than 1000 times better than the optical diffraction limit.
context_section_description: Fig. 3 shows an AFM, which typically consists of the following features. Numbers in parentheses correspond to numbered features in Fig. 3. Coordinate directions are defined by the coordinate system (0).
  The small spring-like cantilever (1) is carried by the support (2). Optionally, a piezoelectric element (typically made of a ceramic material) (3) oscillates  the cantilever (1). The sharp tip (4) is fixed to the free end of the cantilever (1). The detector (5) records the deflection and motion of the cantilever (1). The sample (6) is mounted on the sample stage (8).  An xyz drive (7) permits to displace the sample (6) and the sample stage (8) in x, y, and z directions with respect to the tip apex (4). Although Fig. 3 shows the drive attached to the sample, the drive can also be attached to the tip, or independent drives can be attached to both, since it is the relative displacement of the sample and tip that needs to be controlled. Controllers and plotter are not shown in Fig. 3.
  According to the configuration described above, the interaction between tip and sample, which can be an atomic scale phenomenon, is transduced into changes of the motion of cantilever which is a macro scale phenomenon. Several different aspects of the cantilever motion can be used to quantify the interaction between the tip and sample, most commonly the value of the deflection, the amplitude of an imposed oscillation of the cantilever, or the shift in resonance frequency of the cantilever (see section Imaging Modes).
caption: Fig. 3: Typical configuration of an AFM.
   (1): Cantilever,  (2): Support for cantilever,  (3): Piezoelectric element(to oscillate cantilever at its eigen frequency.),  (4): Tip (Fixed to open end of a cantilever, acts as the probe),  (5): Detector of deflection and motion of the cantilever,  (6): Sample to be measured by AFM,  (7): xyz drive, (moves sample (6) and stage (8) in x, y, and z directions with respect to a tip apex (4)), and (8): Stage.
exif: {}