SCAN THE QR CODE AND FOLLOW THE SOP!!!

1. Log in to "Digital Instruments #2" through lab access. Not sure why its named this but it is.
2. Scan the QR code with your phone and tap "SOP". This is for you to better operate the tool but it doesn't include everything.
3. Open the software by clicking the icon on the desktop. It should be something like "Nanoscope 9.7". There is another icon for the analysis software but you can ignore that for now.
4. While the software starts, open the big door.
5. Click the previous experiment at the top of the dialog box, click "Use previous experiment" then "Load experiment"
6. Click "Setup" on the left side to set up the tip
   1. Click "Move to laser alignment station"
   2. To align the laser, use the top two knobs (add picture here) above the AFM tip to maximize the voltage (the green bar on the desktop). Then, use the side two knobs to minimize the voltage (the smaller readings on either side of the black box). This ensures the laser is aligned.
   3. Click "Return from Alignment Station"
   4. Focus the tip with the "Focus Controls" buttons. You will have to adjust the zoom and brightness (so pay attention during training).
   5. Click about 7µm from the edge of the tip to position the crosshair correctly.
7. Insert your sample. The vacuum chuck has small holes in it, and if you are like the rest of our group, you want the single vacuum hole (without a ring around it) since it holds small samples. Once its in place, flip the vacuum switch in the top right corner of the actual AFM box, and then rotate the chuck by hand about 180°. Otherwise, your sample won't be in a great position and you probably won't be able to reach it with the tip.
8. Click "Navigate" on the left side to start positioning the sample.
   1. Use the trackball to move the stage so that your sample is under the small white light.
   2. Click "Tip Reflection"
      1. At 20% speed move the scan head down until your sample surface is focused.
      2. At 4% speed move the scan head down until your tip is focused (~33 seconds)
   3. Click "Sample (default)"
   4. Move the sample to the scan centerpoint by using the XY Stage Control arrows).
9. Close the door. One fluid motion makes it easier.
10. Click "Check parameters" on the let side.
    1. Make sure all of the ScanAsyst Auto" parameters are on.
    2. Set the scan size. 10µm is fairly typical but you can go smaller. I wouldn't go much larger since a larger size does more damage to the tip over time.
    3. Set the aspect ratio to 1 if you want a square scan area.
    4. Set the angle to compensate for any rotation of your sample. Angles are based on the unit circle, and you want the feature you are scanning to be vertically aligned with the crosshair. It will make more sense if you see it during training.
    5. Set the scan frequency, duration, etc.
11. Click "Engage" to start the scan
    1. During the scan, if you need to change any parameters, pause the scan at the top first.
    2. You can adjust the scan offset if needed. A negative offset moves the tip to the right.
    3. If you want to scale the scan, click the little option below the scale bar things (add a picture)
    4. If you want to capture data (WIP, pay attention during training. I don't remember all the labels while writing this so skipping for now)
12. When you are done, pause the scan then click "Withdraw.
13. Click "Navigate" and then "Sample Load Position"
14. Open the door, remove your sample, and close the software (do not save)
15. Close the door
16. Log out of lab access.

Congratulations, you've just taken an AFM measurement! If you want to process it, you can either use the AFM computer (recommended for quick processing while at the tool). I do some brief stuff at the tool, export that slightly processed/leveled data as a text file, and then analyze with MATLAB/Origin.