Specimen (sample) carrier for scanning atomic force microscopy in liquids

摘要

The invention relates to a sample carrier for scanning atomic force microscopy in liquids and is characterized in that fastening the probe requires no adhesive, nor any plastic seal for the liquid cell. As a result, the field of application of such measurements can be substantially widened because the swelling of sealing rings which occurs in many liquids is avoided, together with the contamination of the liquid by components of the adhesive and/or sealing components. These problems are solved by fixing the sample with a screw in a cylinder - preferably made from aluminium, and sealing the liquid cell by means of an accurately fitting ring - likewise preferably made from aluminium - which is plugged concentrically onto the cylinder and is pressed against the flexiglass (perspex) cover by means of springs. The mode of operation of this sample carrier is best gathered from Figure 3.