The Atomic Force Microscope – An Overview of a Versatile Solution

1. The A t o mi c F o r c e Mi c r o s c o p e – A n O v e r v i e w o f a V e r s a t i l e S o l u t i o n In 1986, Drs Binning and Rohrer won a Nobel Prize for Physics for their highly advanced scanning tunnel microscope. It delivered a breakthrough in a wide range of scientific fields as research and development were often halted due to a lack of visibility. Once particles became smaller than the wavelengths of light, the image became blurry when you used an optical microscope. Thus, scientists could not explore the surfaces, the attributes and the behaviour of specimens on an atomic level. This limitation inhibited scientific progress and it was a great frustration in the various scientific fields. Their invention changed it all and did not only allow scientists to explore particles on a nano-level, they could also manipulate it. Yet, the invention had a major drawback as well. It was only effective when used to explore the surfaces of conducting and semi-conducting surfaces and there was still a range of surfaces which had to be observed at a much more micro-scale for advancements to proceed. Especially the field of medical development had to find a solution which would allow the same kind of nano-level visibility of biomaterial to be able to explore viruses, bacteria, infected tissue and much more. Thus, not long after the advanced development was initially celebrated, there was once again a demand for an even more advanced and versatile solution. The answer to this demand was the invention of the atomic force microscope. The latest and newest development in scientific development allowed for a far wider range of surfaces to finally be explored and observed on a nano-level. Now researchers could observe surfaces such as ceramics, polymers, glass, composites and biological samples on an atomic level. So, how does the advanced solution work and what made it different from its predecessor? The trusted team of experts at the leading provider of this kind of technology with a global footprint of success and efficiency, Park Systems, helps to understand the different kinds of technology. To explain the difference, we need to have clarity on how a scanning tunnelling microscope operates. Thus, in short, the latter relies on a microscopic probe which is raster-scanned over the surface of an atomic size specimen. The specimen needs to be conductive or semi-conductive for the probe to collect the data through a feedback loop to create an image of the surface it is scanning. They track the movement of the probe with laser technology and capture it through advanced systems. Such a system also relies on advanced computer software to add colour to the captured image on your screen to add additional clarity and to provide the researcher with a clear image of the subject. The atomic force microscope works on much the same principles but in this case, there is no need for the surface to be either conductive or semi-conductive for the system relies on a quantum mechanical effect caused by tunnelling. Through the process, the atomic forces interact with the tip of the probe and enable it to map out the surface and deliver a clear image. The advanced technology enables a much wider range of scientific research fields to be able to move forward in their development.

2. One field which greatly benefits from the invention is research and development in the medical field. Especially cancer research is currently taking great steps forward in learning more about the differences in the morphology of white blood cells in patients with leukaemia when they compare it to the cells of healthy subjects. Another medical benefit of this kind of technology is that it enables medical researchers to be able to scan tumour tissue and the tissue surrounding the cancerous body to explore the impact the disease has on the cell structure and how it responds to the medication. Within a short time frame, the advanced solution became a vital piece of equipment of most professional labs globally. About Us: Our team at Park Systems is always working to create change through advances in the field of research and technology by supplying premium quality equipment scientists need for microscopic exploration on a nano level. One of our most advanced features is our commitment to absolute accuracy and precision in all we do and the products we deliver. Our aim is to deliver the resources you need to have the breakthroughs you work for and to provide the support you need from any of our offices based globally. Visit our website at https://parksystems.com and explore the numerous possibilities we offer to help you achieve excellence.