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PeakForce KPFM-HV Imaging

The PeakForce Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy-HV mode maps the electrostatic potential at the sample surface by applying an AC voltage to the probe and measuring harmonics of that voltage. This AC technique extends the measurement range of AM-KPFM (see Lift Mode Surface Potential Imaging (AM-KPFM)) up to approximately ±200 V.

PeakForce KPFM-HV also leverages the advantages of PeakForce Tapping:

PeakForce KPFM HV Theory

PeakForce KPFM HV Operation

PeakForce KPFM HV requires a PF KPFM-HV Application Module, shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6: The PF KPFM-HV Application Module (Dimension SPMs only)

The PF-KPFM HV Application Module requires an Applications Module Probe Holder. Either the Dimension SCM Probe Holder or the Dimension SSRM, TUNA and C-AFM Probe Holder will work.

PF KPFM-HV Probe Requirements

Bruker recommends PFQNE-AL probes for PeakForce KPFM-HV measurements.

Sample Preparation

Prepare the sample as described in Electrical Sample Preparation.

PF KPFM-HV Procedure

 
  1. Mount a sample onto the sample holder.
  2. Mount an appropriate probe into the standard probe holder (see Prepare and Load the Cantilever Holder for details).
  1. Click the Select Experiment icon to open the Select Experiment window.

(Hover over the image to view larger)

Figure 7: The PF KPFM-HV Select Experiment window

  1. Select the following:
    • Experiment Category: Electrical & Magnetic
    • Experiment Group: Electrical & Magnetic Lift Modes
    • Select Experiment: PeakForce KPFM-HV
 
  1. Click Load Experiment.
  1. Click the Setup icon to open the Setup window.
 
  1. Align the laser on the cantilever and place the crosshair there. See Figure 8.

Figure 8: Align the laser on the cantilever and place the crosshair there.

  1. Engage the probe onto the sample
  1. Scan the sample
 
  1. Set the Lift Scan Height as low as possible without hitting the sample. Increase the Lift Scan Height if the probe touches the sample - symptoms will be a very noisy potential scan.
  1. Refer to the PeakForce QNM Operation sections for details regarding PeakForce mode imaging.

 

 

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