Asylum Research (Santa Barbara, CA) says its Cypher atomic force microscope (AFM) is the industry's first completely new small-sample AFM/SPM in more than a decade. The Cypher achieves closed loop atomic resolution using sensors in all three axes, combining the accuracy and control of closed loop with the power of atomic resolution for what the company calls "the accurate images and measurements possible today."
Cypher's SpotOn automated laser and photodiode positioning, a mouse click aligns the laser spot on your cantilever and centers your photodetector. The system allows laser spot sizes as small as 3µm to enable high-speed AC imaging with small cantilevers. This lets you use cantilevers smaller than 10µm for fast imaging and sub-picoNewton force measurements.
Asylum says Cypher's proprietary system-level mechanical design is inherently immune to normal environmental vibration, eliminating the need for additional isolation add-ons for most labs. The integrated system enclosure includes thermal control and provides additional acoustic isolation for noisy environments.
This system-level design creates images of atomically flat samples that are free of periodic noise. Cypher also features unimpeded 180 degree optical/mechanical access to your samples and a small 40x42cm footprint that conserves lab space.
Interchangeable modules were designed to broaden your options for applications and scanning modes. MultiLux source modules are available with laser diodes and low-coherence SLDs in a variety of spot sizes to provide optimal signal-to-noise over a wide range of cantilever lengths. Module exchange takes only a minute, according to Asylum.
High resolution top-view optics with Köhler illumination promise clear viewing of your sample and tip. Cypher's custom optics with 20X objective are limited only by physical diffraction. You'll see sub-micron resolution over a 690x922 micron field of view with digital zoom and pan.
And finally, Cypher's integrated enclosure provides thermal control and acoustic isolation to optimize imaging and measurement stability. Asylum says you can achieve >10X improvement in thermal drift compared to older, less advanced SPMs.
More information:
Find complete details on Cypher at Asylum's website.