AFM Artifacts
1.1 Tip-sample convolution
This is an inherent feature of AFM and can never be fully removed. Any AFM image is a convolution of the shape of the probe, and the shape of the sample. This has the effect of making protruding features appear wide, and holes appear smaller (both narrower and often less deep, too). Broader (less sharp) probes will enhance the effect, as shown below.

Illustration of convolution of AFM probe and sample giving rise to the image (red).
Probe-sample convolution tends to have the greatest effect on features of similar or smaller radii than the probe. it can be reduced by deconvolution techniques, discussed further in "Atomic Force Microscopy".
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The book, "Atomic Force Microscopy" by Peter Eaton and Paul West was published in March 2010 by OUP.
There is some information about it at this site, but it's somewhat out of date. In particular the contents listing is not quite correct.
Here is the correct contents of "Atomic Force Microscopy":
Preface
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background to AFM
1.2 AFM today
Chapter 2: Instrumental Aspects of AFM
2.1 Basic concepts in AFM instrumentation
2.2 The AFM stage
2.3 AFM electronics
2.4 Acquisition software
2.5 AFM cantilevers and probes
2.6 AFM instrument environment
2.7 Scanning environment
Chapter 3: AFM Modes
3.1 Topographic modes
3.2 Nontopographic modes
3.3 Surface modification
Chapter 4: Measuring AFM Images
4.1 Sample preparation
4.2 Measuring contact mode images
4.3 Measuring intermittent contact mode images
4.4 High-resolution imaging
4.5 Force curves
Chapter 5: Image Processing in AFM
5.1 Processing AFM images
5.2 Displaying AFM images
5.3 Analysing AFM Images
Chapter 6: Image Artifacts in AFM
6.1 Probe artefacts
6.2 Scanner artefacts
6.3 Image processing artefacts
6.4 Vibration noise
6.5 Noise from other sources
6.6 Other artefacts
Chapter 7: Applications of AFM
7.1 AFM applications in materials science
7.2 AFM applications in nanotechnology
7.3 AFM applications in the life sciences
7.4 Industrial AFM applications
Appendix A: AFM Standards
Appendix B: Scanner Calibration and Certification Procedures
Appendix C: Third Party AFM Software
Index
To buy the book, visit Amazon.com
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At the Atomic Force Blog, I publish occasional opinion articles about new things in AFM that catch my eye. Click below to be redirected to the blog.
http://atomicforceblog.blogspot.com/
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Test for Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 1 is the introduction chapter. Firstly the background to AFM is explained, which techniques preceded it, and how it came to be invented. Then some important characteristics of AFM are discussed, with reference to other microscopy techniques. This is a short chapter, covering briefly some material that occurs in greater details through the rest of the book; for this reason there are only 5 questions here.
Q1. What two major instruments preceded AFM?
Q2. Who invented the AFM and built the first ever instrument?
Q3. Which SPM technique is most commonly used, STM or AFM?
Q4. Which prize was given to the inventors of AFM and why?
Q5. Limitation in imaging what kind of sample limitation lead to the development of the AFM?
Long answer question.
Compare SEM, TEM with AFM. Under what circumstance would AFM be better than SEM, TEM and optical microscopy? Under what circumstance would AFM be worse than SEM, TEM and optical microscopy?
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