Digital Q Control for the MFP-3D™

Asylum Research announces the availability of the Digital Q Control for the MFP-3D AFM. The ability to control the quality factor or "Q" of a cantilever allows imaging to be optimized for various applications. Pictured to the left is an image of SEBS polymer imaged with and without Digital Q Control. Some of the advantages/features include:

• All-digital operation allows flexible, low noise and frequency independent Q Control.

• Q enhancement allows you to stay in the attractive mode longer, even with a sharp tip and/or with large amplitudes.This illustration shows the Q of four different cantilevers with resonant frequencies ranging from ~6kHz to ~1MHz. The blue curves show the "native" tuning curves. The red curves show the results for an enhanced Q, the black for a reduced Q.

• Transients cause sample and tip damage. Q Control allows these to be minimized by keeping you in the attractive (or repulsive) mode, minimizing transients.

• High Q is less traumatic for soft samples.

This advanced feature is currently shipping with all MFP-3D systems, and is available as a simple software upgrade for MFP-3D customers. For more details, contact us at support@AsylumResearch.com.

SEBS polymer without
(above) and with (below)
Digital Q Control, 18µm scan.