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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: Feb 22, 2026

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

Published on: October 24, 2014

Atomic Force Microscopy: An Introduction.

Melissa C Piontek¹, Wouter H Roos²

¹Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.

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

|September 24, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images nano-sized particles and biomolecules in 3D, providing topographical and mechanical data. High-speed AFM (HS-AFM) enables dynamic studies of single molecules in physiological conditions.

Keywords:

Atomic force microscope (AFM)Biological applications Cantilever Contact mode Force spectroscopy High-speed AFM Intermittent contact mode Nano-indentation Topography

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Force Spectroscopy of Single Protein Molecules Using an Atomic Force Microscope

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping

Published on: October 24, 2014

Force Spectroscopy of Single Protein Molecules Using an Atomic Force Microscope

Force Spectroscopy of Single Protein Molecules Using an Atomic Force Microscope

Published on: February 28, 2019

Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers

Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers

Published on: July 22, 2015

Area of Science:

Nanotechnology
Biophysics
Materials Science

Background:

High-resolution imaging of nano-sized particles is essential in biological sciences for single-particle analysis.
2D imaging often lacks crucial topographical and mechanical property data.
Imaging in physiological environments enhances biological relevance.

Purpose of the Study:

To discuss the principles and applications of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for biomolecule imaging.
To highlight AFM's capability to provide 3D morphological and mechanical information.
To showcase advanced techniques like High-Speed AFM (HS-AFM) for dynamic studies.

Main Methods:

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for high-resolution 3D surface imaging.
Force spectroscopy for determining protein and membrane material properties.
Operation in both air and buffer solutions for diverse sample environments.
High-Speed AFM (HS-AFM) for capturing dynamic molecular processes.

Main Results:

AFM provides 3D topographical data of nano-sized samples.
AFM enables mechanical property assessment of biomolecules.
HS-AFM allows visualization of static and dynamic biomolecular behavior.
AFM facilitates imaging in near-physiological conditions.

Conclusions:

AFM is a versatile tool for comprehensive biomolecule characterization.
AFM offers insights into morphology, mechanics, and dynamics.
Advanced AFM techniques like HS-AFM expand the study of biological systems.