Features

Gwyscope Digital Signal Processor is being constantly developed, therefore the presented features can be outdated, but contain at least:

• Feedback loop for contact and non-contact optical lever based SPM probes
• Feedback loop for self-sensing probes (e.g. Akiyama) using FM detection via PLL
• Z piezo signal output through 20-bit DA converter
• 16 simultaneously sampled 18-bit inputs
• 16 independent 16-bit outputs
• Reconfigurable input and output voltage ranges
• Two lock in amplifiers with signal generators 500 Hz to 1.2 MHz
• Third internal generator for lock-in operation at other than generating frequency
• Lateral motion control using serial interface or 20 bit DA converters
• Variety of ways how to perform non-raster and adaptive measurements
• Digital PLL feedback - configurable PLL range up to full range of the lock-in signal generators; configurable lock-in amplitude and phase output filter 100 Hz - 100 kHz

Depending on the rest of the hardware and control software it can be  used for various SPM tasks, so far it was used for the following:

• Atomic Force Microscopy and Force-Distance curves acquistion
• Magnetic Force Microscopy in the lift mode
• Conductive AFM, Scanning Thermal Microscopy and other additional signal based SPM methods
• AM Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy
• Sideband FM Electrostatic Force Microscopy
• Force Volume data acquisition

Few images of measured structures are shown below:

Silicon carbide steps measured using Akiyama probe and a quick laboratory setup on an optical table.

Nanosensors fun grating measured using custom built tapping mode AFM