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Understanding the Role of Atomic Force Microscopes in Modern Science
Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs) have become one of the most powerful and versatile tools in the field of nanotechnology, enabling scientists to visualize, measure, and manipulate matter at the nanoscale with remarkable precision. Since their introduction in the 1980s, AFMs have revolutionized the way researchers study materials, offering insights that were once impossible using traditional optical or electron microscopy techniques.
At its core, an atomic force microscope works by scanning a sharp cantilever tip over a sample surface. As the tip interacts with the atoms and molecules on the surface, it experiences extremely small forces. These interactions cause the cantilever to deflect, and these deflections are measured using a laser-based detection system. The result is a highly detailed topographical map of the sample, often with resolution down to fractions of a nanometer.