3D‑PRINTED AFM

INTRODUCTION

  • 3D printing enables fast iteration of custom components. We designed and assembled a compact AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) to evaluate the feasibility of low‑cost fabrication for precision instruments.
  • Validation used a commercial calibration grating (TGQ1) and tape‑exfoliated graphene.

WHAT IS AFM?

  • A sharp cantilever tip scans the surface while a laser and position sensor track deflection.
  • Produces height maps and cross‑section profiles from micro‑ to nanoscale.
AFM principle: laser, cantilever, PSD

FIRST DESIGN

AFM design v1

Second(Final) Design

AFM design v2

AFM SETUP

AFM setup schematic: laser, mirrors, PSD, tip AFM setup on optical table with microscope and piezo stage

TAPE METHOD OF GRAPHENE

Tape method panel

RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY

Raman spectroscopy panel

SCANNING SAMPLES

Scanning samples panel

SUMMARY & RECOGNITION

  • Imaged the TGQ1 calibration grating and tape‑exfoliated graphene using a 3D‑printed AFM.
  • TGQ1 scans reproduce the expected pattern; graphene scans show identifiable layered regions.
  • These results indicate that 3D‑printed structural parts can support nanoscale AFM measurements.
  • Bronze Award, Poster Competition.

REFERENCES

  1. Atomic force microscopy — Wikipedia. Overview of AFM principles.
  2. Graf, D. et al., Nano Lett. 2007, 7, 242 — Graphene Raman signatures.

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