Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)

Name/ID	Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)
Count	1
Facility	Atomic Force Microscope Laboratory
Description	Atomic Force Microscope

As a result of a scientific collaboration with the Applied Optics Group, University of Twente, we use an AFM developed for cell biological applications. Scanning is possible at various size scales up to 20 x 20 μm. Images usually contain 500 x 500 pixels of useful information. For data analysis we use SPIP, a program dedicated to scanning microscopic applications in addition to softwares developed for our instrument. In an AFM measurement the topography of the surface of the sample as well as its fine structure can be investigated. Scanning can be performed using various modes, out of which the so-called tapping mode is the most suitable for cell biological applications. In this mode there is no continuous contact between the surface and the scanning probe, thus the probability of creating artefacts is minimal.