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Channels Interface

The Channels interface, shown in Figure 1, consists of parameters for each of eight channels. Each channel represents a unique scanning image. Up to eight data Channels may be opened by selecting each channel and choosing a Data Type to view simultaneously. Channels are numbered 1, 2, 3... and feature their own control panels. When a Data Type is selected on a Channel, its image appears. It is possible to have up to eight separate images from each scan. For example, a TappingMode scan might simultaneously present a Height Sensor image on Channel 1, a TM Deflection image on Channel 2, and a Phase image on Channel 3.

Parameters shown on each Channel control panel vary slightly, depending upon the type of microscope selected and operating mode.

You may access the Channel controls through either the panel below the scope trace of each channel or the Channel panels in the Scan Parameters List , shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1: The Channels interface.

Figure 2: The Channels panel

To view the Channels panel as shown in Figure 2, click Experiment > Configure Experiment (see The Configure Experiment window in Scan and Ramp Parameter Lists) > OK or Cancel and then right-click in the Scan Parameter List and select Configure Lists (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: Select Configure Lists

This opens the Panel Lists Configuration window, shown in Figure 4. Drag selected Channels from the Spare List to either Panel List 1 or Panel List 2 (shown) to make them visible. Click Show Parameter List 2(see Figure 3) to make Parameter List 2 visible.

Figure 4: The Panel Lists Configuration window.

Channel Parameters

Parameter Description

Data Type

Settings vary, depending upon the microscope selected and operating mode as shown in the field descriptions below. The Data Type parameter may receive: no data (Off); sample-height data (Height); cantilever oscillation amplitude data for TappingMode (Amplitude); cantilever deflection data (Deflection); STM current data (Current); phase data (Phase).

Range and Settings:

  • Amplitude (TappingMode and Force Mode only)—The RMS of the cantilever amplitude signal is displayed and captured.
  • Current (STM only)—Data displayed and captured is the tunneling current generated by the preamplifier. (When set to Current, the units of the data are nA.)
  • TM Deflection—Cantilever deflection signal data is displayed and captured. (When set to TM Deflection, the units of the data are in distance or volts.)
  • Height—The Z piezo voltage set by the feedback calculation in the Digital Signal Processor (DSP) is displayed. (The displayed data comes from the voltage output to the Z piezo.) Units are distance (e.g., nm, µm, etc.).
  • Height Sensor—Displays the signal from the Z position sensor in the closed loop head. Standard imaging of topography.
  • Off—Channel is turned off.
  • Phase (MFM, EFM)—Phase data from oscillating TappingMode tips, generally used with Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) and Electrical Force Microscopy (EFM), is displayed and captured. This setting appears when the microscope is configured with an Extender™ Electronics Module.
  • Potential (EFM)—Surface potential data is displayed. (For detailed information on Surface Potential or EFM features, see Electric Force Microscopy )
  • Deflection—Cantilever deflection signal data is displayed.
  • Friction—Torsional deflection signal data is displayed

See also Optimizing the Data Type Parameters.

Data Scale

The Data Scale controls the Z scale corresponding to the full height of the display and color bar.

Range or Settings:

  • 0.0067 to 440V (Data Type set to Height, Units are set to Volts).
  • XX to XXX µm (Scanner dependent; where Data Type is set to height, Units set to metric).
  • XX to XXX µm (Sensitivity dependent; where the Data Type is set to deflection or amplitude; Units are set to metric).
  • 0.00003815 to 2.5V or 20V (Data Type set to amplitude; Units set to volts or deflection)
  • 0.0031 to 200nA (Data Type set to current; Units are set to metric).
  • 0.0003052V to 20V (Data Type set to current; Units are set to volts).

See also Optimizing the Data Scale Parameters.

Data center

Offsets centerline on the color scale by the amount entered.

The Data Center offset does not become a permanent part of the data.

Range or Settings:

  • ± 220V

Line Direction

Selects the direction of the fast scan data collection that is displayed in the image.

The feedback calculation is always performed regardless of the scan direction. This parameter simply selects whether the data is collected on the trace or the retrace. This parameter selects the relative motion of the tip to the sample.

Range or Settings:

  • Trace—Data is collected when the relative motion of the tip is left to right as viewed from the front of the microscope.
  • Retrace—Data is collected when the relative tip motion is right to left as viewed from the front of the microscope.

Scan line

The scan line controls whether data from the Main or Interleave scan line is displayed and captured.

Range or Settings:

  • Main or Interleave
NOTE: This parameter is not selectable when the Interleave mode parameter is set to Disabled. The system is locked on the Main scan lines whenever the interleaved mode is turned off.

Realtime Plane Fit

Applies a software leveling plane to each Real-time image, removing up to first-order tilt and second-order bow. Four types of Plane Fit are available to each Real-time image.

Range or Settings:

  • None—Only raw, unprocessed data is displayed.
  • Offset—Takes the Z-axis average of each scan line, then subtracts it from every data point in that scan line.
  • Line—Takes the slope and Z-axis average of each scan line and subtracts it from each data point in that scan line. This is the default mode of operation, and should be used unless there is a specific reason to do otherwise.
  • Bow—Centers data and removes the tilt and bow in each scan line, by calculating a second order, least-squares fit for the selected segment then subtracting it from the scan line.

Offline Plane Fit

Applies a software “leveling plane” to each captured image for removing up to first-order tilt.

Three types of Plane Fit are available to each Offline image.

Range or Settings:

  • None—Only raw, unprocessed data is displayed.
  • Offset—Captured images have a DC offset removed, but they are not fitted to a plane.
  • Full—A best-fit plane which is derived from the data file subtracted from the captured image.

See also Optimizing Offline Plane Fit Parameters.

 

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