Exchanging Probes - AFM Workshop LS-AFM User Manual

4.3 Exchanging Probes

When a tip becomes damaged or broken, these
steps can be followed to exchange probes quickly
and efficiently.
1. Raise the Z motor until the probe is
at least ¼" from the sample's surface.
NOTE: Make
probe is close at hand and fac-
ing in the same orientation as the
probe exchange tool.
2. Remove the probe holder from the light
lever.
3. Place the probe holder on the probe
exchange tool with the spring facing up.
4. Push down on the probe holder, such that
the spring releases the probe. Tap the probe
exchange tool lightly on a flat surface at a 30°
angle until the probe slides down through the
narrow channel of the exchange tool. Gen-
tly dispose of the old probe with tweezers.
CAUTION: The exchange tool
will not prevent expulsion of the
probe if the tapping angle is too
extreme.
5. Using the tips of very sharp tweezers, pick
up the new probe and, while pressing down
on the probe holder, gently slide the probe
into place. Take care not to touch the canti-
lever with the tweezers.
6. Once the new probe is positioned cor-
rectly, place the probe holder back into the
microscope.
NOTE: If the probe holder does not sit completely level with the probe
exchange mechanism, it is possible to adjust to the screws on the bottom
of the exchange tool to achieve the desired height.
Section 4-3
sure the new
V 1.1 / LS-AFM Users Guide