Nanosurf’s DriveAFM is a groundbreaking product in the world of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). It’s designed with both simplicity and performance in mind and it combines cutting-edge technology with user-friendly features to help researchers achieve top-tier results in fields like material science and life sciences.
What is Drive AFM?
The DriveAFM is a tip-scanning atomic force microscope designed to deliver precise, high-resolution imaging. Whether you’re working with complex materials or delicate biological samples, this AFM ensures fast, reliable, and stable measurements. It’s fully motorized and boasts several unique features that make it stand out from other AFM systems.
Key Features of the Drive AFM:
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Full Motorization for Ease of Use
The Drive AFM is fully motorized, which means all optical adjustments can be done through software—no need for manual tuning. This makes it incredibly easy to set up and operate, reducing the time spent on calibration and allowing you to focus on your experiments.
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CleanDrive Technology
One of the most exciting innovations is the CleanDrive technology. Traditional AFM systems use a shaker to make the cantilever vibrate. However, CleanDrive uses a focused laser to gently heat the cantilever, causing it to oscillate. This method is more stable, especially in liquid environments, making it perfect for sensitive experiments. With CleanDrive, users can achieve better results in both air and liquid conditions.
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Small Cantilevers for Faster Imaging
The Drive AFM supports small cantilevers, which vibrate faster than regular-sized cantilevers. This not only allows for quicker imaging but also increases sensitivity, helping you capture fine details with ease.
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High-Resolution Imaging Across All Scales
Whether you’re examining large areas or zooming in for atomic-level detail, the Drive AFM delivers crystal-clear results. It features a direct-drive scanner, which ensures high-resolution imaging without noise interference. With its wide scan range, it’s perfect for both large and small samples, making it highly versatile.
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Compatible with Inverted Optical Microscopes
The Drive AFM can be integrated with inverted optical microscopes, which is a huge advantage for biological research. This setup allows researchers to view samples using both AFM and optical imaging methods simultaneously, providing a deeper understanding of complex biological systems.
Applications of Drive AFM:
The Drive AFM is designed for a wide range of applications, including:
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Material Science
Whether you’re working with semiconductors, polymers, or metals, the DriveAFM provides precise imaging and data collection. It is particularly useful for measuring surface roughness, elasticity, and other material properties.
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Life Sciences
The Drive AFM is ideal for imaging cells and biomolecules. It allows for non-invasive imaging, making it possible to study living cells in their natural environments. Researchers can explore nanoscale structures, such as DNA or protein complexes, without damaging the sample.
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Electrical Characterization
This system can measure a sample’s electrical properties, such as conductivity and magnetic force. It’s equipped with special modes for tasks like electrostatic force microscopy, which is essential for studying electronics and materials that interact with electric fields.
Why Choose DriveAFM?
The DriveAFM stands out because of its combination of simplicity and advanced features. It’s easy to operate, even for those new to AFM technology, but powerful enough for cutting-edge research. Its fully motorized design means less manual intervention and more precise, repeatable results. Plus, CleanDrive technology offers unmatched stability, even in challenging conditions like liquid environments.