Harnessing the damping properties of materials for high-speed atomic force microscopy.

摘要: The success of high-speed atomic force microscopy in imaging molecular motors, enzymes and microbes liquid environments suggests that the technique could be significant value a variety areas nanotechnology. However, majority experiments are performed air, tapping-mode detection speed current cantilevers is an order magnitude lower air than liquids. Traditional approaches to increasing rate have involved reducing size cantilever, but further reductions will require fundamental change method microscope. Here, we show can instead achieved by changing cantilever material. We use fabricated from polymers, which mimic high damping environment With this approach, SU-8 polymer developed imaging-in-air bandwidth 19 times faster those conventional similar size, resonance frequency spring constant.