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Load a Probe for Fluid Imaging with the Dimension Scanner

The probe is held in a small pocket on the bottom side of the fluid probe holder by a gold-plated stainless steel wire. The probe holder stand has three docking stations where different probe holders may be mounted. Use the docking station that has a small wire between two of the sockets:

Figure 1: The Dimension Icon probe holder stand

The steel wire is held against the cantilever substrate by a leaf spring (clip release button) mounted on the top of the probe holder:

Figure 2: High Efficiency Direct Drive Fluid Probe Holder (Version 1)

Figure 3: High Efficiency Direct Drive Fluid Probe Holder (Version 2)

To mount a probe in the holder:

  1. Turn the holder over so that the clip release button and four sockets are facing down.
  2. Plug the holder onto the fluid probe holder docking station of the probe holder stand (see above).
  3. Grip the probe holder by the edges and gently push down on the holder.
NOTE: When pushing down on the holder, the steel wire in the docking station will press on the leaf spring to raise the spring-loaded probe clip that will hold the substrate in the mounting groove.
  1. With the wire raised, use tweezers to slide a probe under the wire and into the pocket.
  2. Check that the cantilever substrate is set squarely against one side of the pocket and flush against the back.
CAUTION: Avoid scratching the probe holder's glass surface with the tweezers or the cantilever substrate, especially in the area under the cantilever itself.
  1. Gently lift the probe holder off the docking station.
NOTE: When removing the probe holder from the docking station, the leaf spring should pull the gold wire tight against the cantilever substrate.
  1. Check that the probe is held firmly by the wire.

Install the Fluid Probe Holder

  1. Check that there is sufficient clearance between the bottom of the SPM Scanner and the sample.
NOTE: The cantilever probe position extends roughly 1 mm further towards the sample with the fluid probe holder over the standard air probe holder.
  1. If the height of the scanner needs adjustment, use one of the following methods:
  2. Gently unplug any probe holder attached to the base of the scanner.
  3. If necessary, lift the scanner out of the dovetail to allow for easier access to the base of the scanner.
  4. Pull the probe holder straight off to prevent bending any of the pins on the probe holder or scanner cap.
  5. Fit the fluid probe holder onto the four pins of the scanner cap.
NOTE: The four sockets on the probe holder will only align with the pins on the scanner cap when the cantilever probe points to the left of the microscope.
  1. Set the scanner back into the dovetail and lock into place by releasing (turn counterclockwise) the knurled scanner clamp screw, located at the upper-right of the Z-stage, until the thread is just tightened.

Once the fluid probe holder is in place, make sure to install the protective skirt before attempting to image.

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