title: Note: High-speed Z tip scanner with screw cantilever holding mechanism for atomic-resolution atomic force microscopy in liquid.
abstract: High-speed atomic force microscopy has attracted much attention due to its unique capability of visualizing nanoscale dynamic processes at a solid/liquid interface. However, its usability and resolution have yet to be improved. As one of the solutions for this issue, here we present a design of a high-speed Z-tip scanner with screw holding mechanism. We perform detailed comparison between designs with different actuator size and screw arrangement by finite element analysis. Based on the design giving the best performance, we have developed a Z tip scanner and measured its performance. The measured frequency response of the scanner shows a flat response up to ∼10 kHz. This high frequency response allows us to achieve wideband tip-sample distance regulation. We demonstrate the applicability of the scanner to high-speed atomic-resolution imaging by visualizing atomic-scale calcite crystal dissolution process in water at 2 s/frame.
authors.affiliation: Division of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan.
authors.forename: Seyed Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Akrami
authors.affiliation: Division of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyata
authors.affiliation: Bio-AFM Frontier Research Center, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan.
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Asakawa
authors.affiliation: Division of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukuma
mesh_terms: D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry; D004867:Equipment Design; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D014732:Vibration; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D002119:Calcium Carbonate