Initial Surface Approach
1) Ensure sample is under the tip by adjusting the x/y stage controls.
2) Using Z-stage control window, approach surface to within a few mm. Only go as far as you
feel comfortable that the tip is still well away from surface.
3) Adjust microscope to focus on tip. Then focus on sample.
4) Move sample to desired area using x/y stage controls
5) Focus the microscope away from sample by turning fine adjust knob ¼ turn (this is ~1 mm
above the surface). **Be absolutely sure you have moved in the correct direction**
6) Use the Z-stage control window to lower tip until it comes into focus.
7) Refocus the microscope on sample surface
8) Focus the microscope away just until sample is blurry (this is ~ 100 um above the surface)
9) CAUTIOUSLY, lower tip until in focus. Be careful not to lower the tip past the focal plane
as you may crash the tip into the sample, which could damage it.
10) When sample is in focus, image of tip should be slightly blurry
11) Check laser position to ensure A-B and C-D are still less than +/- 0.3 V
12) Shut acoustic enclosure
13) Click Approach button in Z-stage control
- When the approach stops, the “light” in the Z-stage Control window will stop blinking.
- Ensure that the Z-scanner bar is half green. This indicates that the system is tracking
the surface.
- Z-scanner troubleshooting: If the Z-scanner bar is all white, the system did not find
the surface (and will actually move UP, not down, if the ‘Approach’ button is pressed).
1) Raise the Z-stage a small amount (just until the tip becomes blurry in the
optical microscope and the topography trace goes flat)
2) Z-scanner will turn green
2a) If the Z-scanner bar does not turn green after you have retracted the tip,
open the frequency sweep window (icon at right) and hit the Refresh button.
3) Increase the Drive % by 5% (e.g. 10% to 15%, not 10% to 10.5%)
4) Approach again. Repeat until the system is able to engage the sample.
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