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Connecting everything together

A project log for Atomic Force Microscope - from ground up

The aim of this project is to make high grade all diy AFM.

100dollarhacker100dollarhacker 06/14/2024 at 02:070 Comments

We have created nano scale probe using Tangsteen wire, but we have never glued it to active Quartz fork. 

Once we have QFM, we could connect the electronics on PCBs, [PCBs makes it more mechanical and electrical stable].

After electronics done, we could connect the mechanical part and do the first experiment. 

First thing first, Quartz Fork, it looks like an easy step but twice I've tried twice I got my Quarts fork filled with glue, I don't think it will do any good. On the second time I got idea to turn qfm upsidedown but now both qfm and syringe got in glue... 

One interesting thing I've learned is to use a non-flexible 'helping hand' as it more rigid and has less movement.

After successful gluing using syringe and microscope 

The next step was to etch a nano scale tip. After few hours of etching I got a feeling than I don't use Tangsteen wire  after short google-seach I found out that I was sold some other wire

Got a new 0.1mm Tungsteen wire (I hope it Tungsteen) third time I scream :) 

Managed to glue it right this time

After etching it in NaOH solution we get

If we zoom in, we can see the tip

I don't know what I have done wrong to get this strange form but it's not bad for first time  :) 

It's a frist time I am integrating data path from Arduino back to PC. The idea is to be able to measure frequency. After some minor changes (pullup resistor and sosftware chagnes) I was able to be able diffrentiate 1Hz quite easily. The output changes almost twice from 730 to 1200. 

Now I am able to connect all boards together and get both frequency sweeper and 16vpp piezoelectric controller.

The next stage would connect it on top of mechanical stage and write software that could both change piezoelectric voltage and sample frequency in one simple software.

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