Scanning Thermal Microscopy (SThM)

Product Overview

• VertiSense Scanning Thermal Microscopy Module
• SThM module for thermal conductivity contrast and a temperature contrast imaging
  
• Supports Contact, Tapping and Peak Force Tapping modes
  
• Plug-in module, compatible with most commercial AFMs
  
• Real temperature measurements up to 700° C
  
• Ultra-low noise, high speed amplifier
  
• Innovative probe design

Basic Information

The VertiSenseTMScanning   Thermal   Microscopy   (SThM) technique uses a specially   des igned   AFM   probe   with   an embedded  thermocouple  (Thermal  Probe) that is  raster  scanned over   a   sample.   The   temperature   of   the   thermocouple   is  measured using the VertiSenseTMSThM Imaging Amplifier as a function  of  the  pos ition and  is  used  by  the AFM  system to generateathermal map in conjunction w ith the topography. These  most  advanced  thermal  probes  exhibit  unique  feature  to map  thermal  properties  of  the  sample  in  Temperature  Contrast and  Thermal  Conductivity  Contrast  Modes.    The  thermocouple sensor  is   located  at  the  apex  of  the  tip  to  facilitate truetemperature  measurement  withless  than  50  nmlateral  thermal resolution.

Application direction

Contact M ode AFM;

Ther mal Conducti vity Contrast Mapof carbon fibers embedded  in ep oxy  in Contact M ode AFM
In Ther mal  Conducti vity  Contr ast  Modethe  thermocouple  of  the probe  is  heated  few  degrees  above  the  room  te mperature  using  the AFM  laser  (by  positioning  a  small  portion  of  the  AFM  laser  on  the back  of  the  thermocouple).  When  the thermal  probe  is  scanned  over the  sample  with  different  therma l  conductivity  regions,  the  heat  loss fro m  the  thermocouple  to  the  sample  is  monitored  as  change  in  the temperature.  The  thermocouple  and  electronics  being  very  sensitive can easily detect a change less than 0.01°C.

Te mper ature Contr ast MapOf mic rofabricatedsilicon heaterin Non-Contact Mode AFM

Thermal  Map  of  a  sample  in  the  Temperature  Contrast  Mode  is acquired by directly  monitoring the thermocouple temperature. The thermocouple can be calibrated using a VertiSenseTMCalibrator.

Compatibility

Compatibility:VertiSenseTMSThM  module hasbeen designed to integrate withmost commercial AFMs including thoseinservice with minimum peripheral requirement.  The module utilizesthe AFM software to generate Thermal Map. The the rmal probesare delivered pre-mounted and ready to be used. The mounting chip  is ensured to becompatible with the AFM.There are two models of ThermalProbes to suite wide range of applications.