Up until now, this website has been funded by Google text adverts that appear on the right of the page. I don’t control what ads appear there, except that I can remove some categories of ads. Beginning soon, I expect to have actual ads from AFM companies appearing there.

The advertisers do not influence any of the other text I write here. Although I do work with some AFM manufacturer’s equipment more than others (and my co-author on the book, Paul West has been owner/CEO of various AFM companies), I do not really favour instruments of one manufacturer over others. I have used many (more than ten) different AFM instruments over the years and this has led me to think that -

 

ALL AFM instruments can produce great results.


What is necessary to get great results are a certain level of skill on the part of the operator, a good probe, careful sample preparation, patience, use of the right modes and settings, and sometimes, a dash of luck! While newer instruments certainly offer amazing new modes, and in some cases lower noise levels, increased ease of use, or faster scanning, in my experience 99% of AFM could actually be done on just about any instrument. In my teaching, I hope I explain things that are useful to users of all instruments. Furthermore, although I am happy to get new listings, and factual corrections for the “Where to buy instruments” and “Probes” and “Calibration artifacts” pages, I do not accept copy written by the companies for inclusion on those pages. Any inaccuracies, or opinions are mine alone.