CO-AFM - Cheap Open source Atomic Force Microscope

Description

The Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) was invented in the mid 1980's. The AFM permits the observation of matter down to the nano-meter scale. With the AFM one is capable of directly observing and manipulating matter down to the single atom. It operates, in principle, very similar to a record player with a needle that is moved over the surface of the object and its vibration used in the representation of the data. A major difference is the use of a cantilever that amplifies the movement of this needle. Using a laser light source and a positional photo-diode it is capable of taking measurements as the specimen is moved under the needle. These measurements are later processed by a computer and represented in a graphical form. AFM devices, however are still very expensive and out of the reach of many people.

The aim of this project is to make Atomic force microscopy imaging more affordable. This way many more people can explore the micro-world that lays hidden in plain sight.

Details

The project will consist of 3 main subsystems, an anti-vibration platform on which the microscope will sit, the microscope assembly that will consist of a two axis moving bed and a moving probe, and the electronics and software that will coordinate and manage all.

Components

1 × Akiyama Probe This is used with the AFM used in dynamic mode. With the akiyama probe control electronics needed are increased however the hardware build complexity is slightly reduced as there is no need for the laser and 4 quadrant diode.

3 × Geared Nema 8 motors These are highly geared so that the degrees per step of the motor is very low. This allows for fine movements.

3 × Linear threaded shafts from old cd-rom assemblies These are used for the linear translation of the rotational motion produced by the stepper motors.

4 × Syringe Used as an air shock absorber to eliminate the external vibrations.

1 × FPGA I am using an old altera cyclone 2 which I had on hand. I also have a Xilinx Spartan 3E on hand and will use the most suitable.

Project Logs

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Preliminary Testing
Edward Borg • 08/20/2014 at 12:09 • 1 comment

Testing the movement resolution with the current linear threads obtained from the CD-Rom drives. Have decided to order 254 tpi adjustment screws which should offer much better resolution since currently the linear threads are around 2 to 4 tpi. These will allow for sub micron positioning possibly even reaching the nano scale without the use of the piezo tranlation stage which should then take over.
Ordering the Business End
Edward Borg • 08/20/2014 at 04:30 • 0 comments

Ordered an Akiyama Probe that is a self exciting probe which will not require the use of a light system in order to get the surface structure data. This will relate the surface structure data since the probe will be oscillating at a set frequency and by means of a PLL any shift in phase caused by the interaction with the surface structure will be recorded.
More details about akiyama probes can be found at:-
http://www.akiyamaprobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/akiyama-probe_technicalguide_2009mar23.pdf
Disassembling CD-Rom drives
Edward Borg • 08/20/2014 at 04:15 • 0 comments

Disassembled 3 old CD-Roms I collected from the scrap in order to source linear threaded shafts that can be used for the x, y and z translations in the AFM. Combined with the steppers that have a large gear ratio and low degree of rotation per step this should provide decent resolution.
Parts start arriving
Edward Borg • 08/18/2014 at 10:27 • 0 comments

The stepper motors for the coarse movement of the x, y and z axis have arrived from omcstepperonline. Can't wait for the rest of the parts to arrive.

View all 4 project logs

Discussions

abetusk wrote 08/15/2015 at 13:49

How much was the Akiyama probe?

Are you sure? yes | no

triplefunny wrote 04/02/2015 at 12:28

Very good project. I am interested in it.

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David Preece wrote 08/02/2014 at 22:49

I remember a mate from uni getting to work with one of these when she did her masters. Seemed like magic then, still does now :)

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PointyOintment wrote 07/28/2014 at 17:30

Here's another cheap AFM project you might find interesting/useful, though it's not fully OS: http://www.instructables.com/id/A-Low-Cost-Atomic-Force-Microscope-%E4%BD%8E%E6%88%90%E6%9C%AC%E5%8E%9F%E5%AD%90%E5%8A%9B%E9%A1%AF%E5%BE%AE%E9%8F%A1/

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Edward Borg wrote 07/28/2014 at 21:40

Cheers. I had come across that AFM already, however my aim is to have something closer to the conventional units, with a higher resolution. As you say that project is not wholly OS too. I intend to use Gwyddion or Scilab to process the data and represent it in graphical format. All control software and stl files for 3d printed parts will be available for all online and all hardware used will be documented with sources and prices, where possible.

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zuul wrote 07/27/2014 at 22:57

lol if you can pull this off..

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Edward Borg wrote 07/28/2014 at 14:02

Thanks. Will definitely try my utmost :)

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Wenchao Zhou wrote 03/10/2016 at 19:12

Are you still working on it, considering it has been over a year and a half now.

Are you sure? yes | no

CO-AFM - Cheap Open source Atomic Force Microscope

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Description

Details

Components

Project Logs Collapse

Preliminary Testing

Ordering the Business End

Disassembling CD-Rom drives

Parts start arriving

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