Resonance-type bimorph-based high-speed atomic force microscopy: real-time imaging and distortion correction

Abstract

Resonance-type bimorph-based high-speed atomic force microscopy (HSAFM) capable of operating in the sample-scan and tip-scan modes is presented in this paper. The working principle of the high-speed scanner, the experimental setup, and the data collection system are described in detail. The main characteristic of the high-speed scanner is the use of a piezoelectric bimorph, where one of the piezoelectric layers is used to drive the bimorph beam to scan at a high speed and the other monitors the bimorph vibration. Image distortions due to the phase-lag and sinusoidal scanning are analyzed and simulated. The correction methods for the compensation of the phase-lag and nonlinear movement are proposed based on data shift and nonlinear mapping relations, respectively. The HSAFM imaging at the maximum rate of ~30 frames per second is demonstrated with our data collection and correction program. The image distortions caused by the phase-lag and sinusoidal scanning are effectively eliminated in real-time. This work would provide useful methods for the development of HSAFM and applications in the observation of dynamic processes at nanoscale.

Visualization of Electrochemical Cycling-Induced Dimension Change in LiMn2O4 Nanoparticles by High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy

“…The EC-HS-AFM setup used in this work was developed based on our previous homemade HS-AFM system. ,− To achieve high-speed imaging during electrochemical cycling, two major requirements should be satisfied. One of them was the use of a small cantilever (BioLever mini, BL-AC40TS-C2, Olympus, Japan) with a ∼25 kHz resonance frequency in an aqueous solution because this bandwidth was adequate for high-speed imaging at the rate of ∼1 frame/s in the contact mode.…”

“…In the present work, we developed an EC-HS-AFM technique by combining our previous homemade HS-AFM system ,− with cyclic voltammometry, which enabled nanoscale imaging at the rate of ∼1 frame/s during the electrochemical cycling. Spinel LiMn 2 O 4 was chosen as a cathode electrode because it is one of the promising cathode materials for the LIBs due to its high operation voltage, high energy density, low toxicity, and low cost.…”

Real-time deflection and friction force imaging by bimorph-based resonance-type high-speed scanning force microscopy in the contact mode

“…The sensing signal from the bimorph scanner was connected to one AI channel, which could be used in the real-time image distortion correction [ 43 ]. Scan control and data acquisition processes were set to run synchronously in a homemade program, which was the key issue to realize real-time imaging.…”

Recent development of high‐speed atomic force microscopy in molecular biology

“…Different from the Hosseini team, Cai et al [39] improved on the traditional piezoelectric scanner and got a new high‐speed scanner. The high‐speed scanner uses a piezoelectric bimorph, one of which acts to drive the bimorph beam at high speed and the other one monitors the bimorph vibration.…”