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Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a type of scanning probe microscopy that can analyze topographic details of various specimens like ceramics, glass, polymers, and biological samples. AFM offers over 1000 times more resolution than the optical imaging system. Images generated from AFM are three-dimensional surface profiles, offering an advantage over the flat, two-dimensional images from other imaging techniques.
The AFM Probe
The probe is regarded as the heart of any AFM setup and comprises the...

Overview of Microscopy Techniques

Overview of Microscopy Techniques

The early pioneers of microscopy opened a window into the invisible world of microorganisms. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes that leveraged nonvisible light, such as fluorescence microscopy that uses an ultraviolet light source and electron microscopy that uses short-wavelength electron beams. These advances significantly improved magnification, image resolution, and contrast. By comparison, the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Sub-nanometer Resolution Imaging with Amplitude-modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid

Sub-nanometer Resolution Imaging with Amplitude-modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid

Published on: December 20, 2016

Introduction to atomic force microscopy.

Pedro J de Pablo¹

¹Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. p.j.depablo@uam.es

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|September 13, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) provides high-resolution imaging and physical property analysis. This technique is versatile for studying nanoscale mechanical properties of biomolecular aggregates in various environments.

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Area of Science:

Nanotechnology
Biophysics
Materials Science

Background:

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful technique for high-resolution imaging and material property determination.
AFM operates in diverse environments, including liquids, making it suitable for biological applications.
The technique allows for nanoscale mechanical manipulation and characterization of samples.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the capabilities of AFM in analyzing physical properties beyond topography.
To emphasize the application of AFM in studying biomolecular aggregates at the nanoscale.
To demonstrate how AFM data complements bulk experiments for understanding single-particle biomachines.

Main Methods:

High-resolution topographical imaging using AFM.
Determination of mechanical properties (e.g., elasticity, adhesion) at the nanoscale.
Mechanical manipulation of samples at the single-molecule level.

Main Results:

AFM enables detailed characterization of sample composition and mechanical properties.
The technique is adaptable to various sample sizes, from atoms to cells.
AFM allows for in-situ studies in different environments, including aqueous solutions.

Conclusions:

AFM is a versatile tool for nanoscale characterization in materials science and biology.
Studying nanoscale mechanical properties of biomolecular aggregates provides crucial data for structure/function models.
AFM facilitates a deeper understanding of single-particle biomachines by enabling both visualization and mechanical interaction.