AFM: Asylum Cypher ES
Overview
The Cypher ES atomic force microscope (AFM) is designed for high resolution imaging and fast scanning of material surfaces. This instrument is designed to be low noise and have exceptional environmental control. The Cypher ES has a fully-sealed sample chamber for simple, integrated environmental control and imaging in air, liquids, or controlled gas environment. The fully-sealed sample chamber enables operation of controlled gas or liquid environments with ports for gas/liquid flow with minimal volumes. The instrument is equipped with a heater to operate the instrument slightly above room temperature to minimize drift and enable high resolution imaging as soon as you begin scanning. Small sample sizes are required. The scanner has a 30 µm x 30 µm (XY) with a vertical (Z) range of ~ 4 µm.
The Cypher ES also features photothermal actuation - a technology that uses a second laser to actuate only the cantilever (the entire probe is not mechanically actuated) and allows for consistent and stable long-term imaging.
Imaging Modes:
- Topography Modes: Tapping Mode, Contact Mode, Phase Imaging, blueDrive photothermal Tapping
- Mechanical Modes: Force Spectroscopy, Force Modulation
- Electrical Modes: Scanning Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM), Conductive AFM (CAFM - ORCA and dual gain ORCA), Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM), Time-dependent Dielectric Breakdown - voltages up to 200V!
- Imaging in Liquids, controlled gas environments and controlled temperature
Environmental control:
- Sample cell: A fully sealed sample chamber for reliable control of the environment with ports for gas or liquid.
- Heating/cooling: Heating and cooling from 0°C to 120°C in both gas and liquid environments.
- Humidity sensing: A humidity sensing cell is available.
- Liquid perfusion: Supports liquid perfusion with a liquid probe holder with small volumes. BlueDrive Photothermal actuation makes liquid easy to use!
Getting Started and Training Information
The Asylum Cypher ES is located in the Deep Lab, Cluster B, Room B111A
In order to become a qualified user on the Asylum Cypher ES, please follow the steps in the order listed below:
- Complete the process to become a member of nano@stanford and follow the instructions to activate a NEMO account. You must complete the safety training specified under the column "Spilker, Shriram, McCullough, Moore, Deep Lab"
- Join the mailing list cypher-users.
- Complete the quiz to access the Deep Lab.
- Access the online training by clicking here. Select the Scanning Probe & Atomic Force Microscopy icon at the bottom of the screen. Complete the Theory, Practical, and Assessments tabs of the online training module. Save the “Virtual SPM” image from the Practical tab and “Test Results” from the Assessments tab for the new user intake form.
- Complete the SPM New User Intake Form.
Basic training for SPM requires one 2-hour group session followed by a second, one-on-one session, ideally with the trainee’s own sample. Those interested in training should contact the SPM lab managers to make an appointment. Additional training in specific SPM techniques will be available on as as-needed basis following completion of the basic training.