Modelling and analysis of autonomous micro-cantilever oscillations

Nanotechnology. 2008 Nov 26;19(47):475501. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/19/47/475501. Epub 2008 Oct 29.

Abstract

Tapping mode atomic force microscopy provides good resolution in imaging applications, but it still requires a time-consuming initial configuration and features quite low scanning velocity. In this paper we present a new dynamic mode in which the cantilever gets excited by a feedback loop containing a saturation function. The proposed scheme is then analysed in the frequency domain and simulated against the standard set-up, showing good performance and elimination of some of the known drawbacks. Preliminary results in experiments confirm the effectiveness of this operating mode.