Design and Construction of a Variable Temperature Atomic Force Microscope

Abstract

A variable temperature atomic force microscope is being constructed at Houghton College. The microscope will operate in a rough vacuum and will utilize spring vibration isolation and eddy current damping to minimize mechanical vibration. A modified "Johnny Walker" beetle is being constructed for the rough approach. The sample will be mounted onto the walker scanning head and scanned across a fixed cantilever tip and laser assembly. When completed, resolution should be on the order of nanometers. Liquid nitrogen and resistive heating will allow operation from ~100 K to 500 K.