attocube ASC500 User manual

Version:
3
.
0
Mod
i
fied:
November 11
Products: ASC500
User Manual
ASC500
SPM Controller & Softw re v2.5
ttocube systems AG, Königinstr sse 11 (Rgb), D - 80539 München Germ ny
Phone: [phone] F x: [phone]
E-M il: info@ ttocube.com www. ttocube.com
For technical queries, contact:
support@ ttocube.com
ttocube systems office Munich:
Phone [phone]
F x [phone]

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© 2001-2011 tto
cube
systems AG. Product nd comp ny n mes listed re tr dem rks
or tr de n mes of their
respective comp nies. Any rights not expressly gr nted herein re reserved. ATTENTION
: Specific tions nd technic l
d t re subject to ch nge without notice.
Table of Contents
T ble of Contents ................................................................... 3
I. Introduction ................................................................ 5
I.1. System Overview ........................................................... 5
I.2. S fety Inform tion ........................................................ 5
I.2. . W rnings ................................................................... 6
I.3. Decl r tions of Conformity .............................................. 8
I.4. W ste Electric l nd Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive ... 9
II. H rdw re Description ................................................... 10
II.1. Mech nic l Inst ll tion ................................................. 10
II.2. Electric l Inst ll tion ................................................... 11
II.2. . Connecting to the Volt ge Supply ................................. 11
II.2.b. Fuses ...................................................................... 11
II.3. Front nd Re r P nel Connections .................................... 12
II.3. . Front P nel ASC500 v1 ............................................... 12
II.3.b. Re r P nel ASC500 v1 ................................................. 12
II.3.c. C ble description ASC500 v1 ........................................ 12
II.3.d. Front P nel ASC500 v2 ............................................... 13
II.3.e. B ck P nel ASC500 v2 ................................................ 15
II.4. The iBox..................................................................... 16
III. Description of the Controller .......................................... 18
III.1. Key Fe tures nd Benefits .............................................. 18
III.2. H rdw re Specific tions ................................................ 18
III.3. Gener l Function lity .................................................... 19
III.4. H rdw re Requirements nd Oper ting Systems ................. 20
III.5. H rdw re Driver Inst ll tion .......................................... 20
III.5. . Windows XP ............................................................. 21
III.5.b. Windows Vist / Windows 7 (32/64 bit) .......................... 22
IV. D t h ndling ............................................................. 25
IV.1. Quick guide for d t s ving ............................................ 25
IV.1. . The DCC ................................................................... 25
IV.1.b. The Sn pshot Preset Configur tion ............................... 28
IV.2. D t h ndling det ils .................................................... 29
IV.2. . Sign ls, d t ch nnels nd d t groups ......................... 29
IV.2.b. Intern l Sign l Flow................................................... 29
IV.2.c. D t processing ch in ................................................ 30
IV.2.d. S mple time nd Aver ge ............................................ 31
IV.2.e. D t Ch nnel Configur tion (DCC) in det il ..................... 32
IV.2.f. DCC us ge................................................................ 33
IV.2.g. S ving the d t ........................................................ 34
IV.2.h. P r meter File .......................................................... 38
IV.2.i. Sn pshot Presets ...................................................... 38
V. Oper ting the Controller: Gener l Us ge nd Overview ......... 41
V.1. Softw re Inst ll tion nd Getting St rted.......................... 41
V.2. Description of M in D isy Progr m ................................... 42
V.2. . The m in toolb r ....................................................... 42
V.2.b. The menu b r ........................................................... 44
V.2.c. Lo ding profile ....................................................... 49
V.3. Profile configur tion .................................................... 51

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V.3. . User-configur ble GUI ppe r nce ................................ 51
V.3.b. Ali ses menu ............................................................ 51
V.3.c. New sign l nd p r meter n mes in v2.5 ........................ 54
V.4. Gener l Us ge nd Description of Common GUI Controls ....... 55
V.4. . Text Edit Boxes ......................................................... 55
V.4.b. Context Menu ........................................................... 56
V.4.c. Frame View context menu ............................................ 58
V.4.d. Displ y wiz rd .......................................................... 58
VI. Description of the AFM Profile ......................................... 62
VI.1. The Output section ....................................................... 62
VI.2. The Sc nner Control ..................................................... 64
VI.2. . Closed Loop Sc nning ................................................ 67
VI.2.b. Lithogr phy ............................................................. 72
VI.3. The Z Control feedb ck loop............................................ 76
VI.4. The Sc n D t Displ ys .................................................. 78
VI.4. . Fr me View .............................................................. 78
VI.4.b. SCAN Line View T b .................................................... 79
VI.4.c. Ex mple for Shifting, Moving nd Zooming the Sc n Are .. 81
VI.5. The m in functions t b section ....................................... 84
VI.5. . Ph se Locked Loop (PLL t b) ....................................... 84
VI.5.b. Lever excit tion t b ................................................... 91
VI.5.c. The low frequency Lock-In t b (LF LockIn) ...................... 92
VI.5.d. Co rse T b ............................................................... 93
VI.5.e. P thmode T b .......................................................... 96
VI.5.f. Extern l H ndsh ke ................................................... 97
VI.5.g. Du l P ss Mode ......................................................... 99
VI.5.h. Q Control ............................................................... 101
VI.5.i. Crosslink ............................................................... 105
VI.5.j. DAC Outputs ........................................................... 107
VI.5.k. Sc n; M nu l Positioning .......................................... 107
VI.6. 1-dimension l d t displ ys ......................................... 107
VI.6. . Spectroscopy T b(s) ................................................ 107
VI.6.b. Reson nce View ...................................................... 109
VI.6.c. Line View............................................................... 110
VI.6.d. Frequency An lysis View ........................................... 111
VI.7. Closed Loop Step Sc nning .......................................... 113
VI.7. . Concept ................................................................ 113
VI.7.b. Connection ............................................................ 115
VI.7.c. Oper tion .............................................................. 116
VII. Firmw re Upgr de ...................................................... 120
VIII. Preventive M inten nce .............................................. 121
VIII.1. S fety Testing ........................................................... 121
VIII.2. Fuses ...................................................................... 121
VIII.3. Cle ning .................................................................. 121

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© 2001-2011 tto
cube
systems AG. Product nd comp ny n mes listed re tr dem rks
or tr de n mes of their
respective comp nies. Any rights not expressly gr nted herein re reserved. ATTENTION
: Specific tions nd technic l
d t re subject to ch nge without notice.
I. Introduction
I.1. System O er iew
The SPM Sc n Controller ASC500 is complete sc n control unit providing
the suit ble sign ls for the use with the ttoCFM Confoc l Microscope, the
ttoAFM Atomic Force Microscope, the ttoSNOM Ne r-Field Optic l
Microscope, the ttoSTM Sc nning Tunnelling Microscope s well s ny
other homebuilt or commerci l sc nning probe microscope.
The modul r nd flexible digit l SPM controller ASC500 combines st te of
the rt h rdw re with innov tive softw re concepts to offer n unm tched
v riety of controlling m ny different sc nning probe microscopy
pplic tions to the customer. All desir ble functions nd high-end
specific tions for controlling the experiment of your choice re v il ble.
The flexible, FPGA-b sed rchitecture llows the implement tion of your
p rticul r requirements to the system.
In combin tion with the m nu l input box ASC500-iBox en bling f st nd
controlled djustment of the m jor p r meters m nu lly in ddition to
using the softw re, this control unit is unique in the field of sc nning
probe microscopy.
I.2. Safety Information
For the continuing s fety of the oper tors of this equipment, nd the
protection of the equipment itself, the oper tor should t ke note of the
Warnings, Cautions, nd Notes throughout this h ndbook nd, where
visible, on the product itself.
The following s fety symbols m y be used on the equipment:
Warning, risk of d nger. Refer to the h ndbook for det ils on this h z rd.
Warning, risk of electric shock. High volt ges present.
Warning, l ser r di tion. Do not st re into be m. Cl ss 1M L ser product.

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Function l (EMC) e rth/ground termin l.
The following s fety symbols m y be used throughout the h ndbook:
Warning. An instruction which dr ws ttention to the risk of injury or
de th.
Caution. An instruction which dr ws ttention to the risks of d m ge to
the product, process or surroundings.
Note. Cl rific tion of n instruction or ddition l inform tion.
I.2.a.
Warnings
The unit must be connected only to n e rthed fused supply of 110 to 230 V.
The equipment, s described herein, is designed for use by personnel
properly tr ined in the use nd h ndling of m ins powered electric l
equipment. Only personnel tr ined in the servicing nd m inten nce of
this equipment should remove its covers or ttempt ny rep irs or
djustments. If m lfunction is suspected, immedi tely return the p rt to
ttocube systems for rep ir or repl cement. There re no user-service ble
p rts inside the electronics. Modified or opened electronics c nnot be
covered by the ttocube w rr nty nymore. T ke speci l c re if connecting
products from other m nuf cturers. Follow the Gener l Accident
Prevention Rules.
If this equipment is used in m nner not specified by the m nuf cturer,
the protection provided by the equipment m y be imp ired. Do not oper te
the instrument outside its r ted supply volt ges or environment l r nge.
In p rticul r, excessive moisture m y imp ir s fety.

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© 2001-2011 tto
cube
systems AG. Product nd comp ny n mes listed re tr dem rks
or tr de n mes of their
respective comp nies. Any rights not expressly gr nted herein re reserved. ATTENTION
: Specific tions nd technic l
d t re subject to ch nge without notice.
Ne er connect any cabling to the electronics when contacts are
exposed! Ne er connect any cabling to the electronics when the
electronics is not in GND mode! Avoid short-cuts. Be c reful not to c use
short-cut between the cont cts in the BNC or ny other connectors.
For l bor tory use only. This unit is intended for oper tion from norm l,
single ph se supply, in the temper ture r nge 5° to 40°C, 20% to 80% RH.

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I.3. Declarations of Conformity
For Customers in Europe
This equipment h s been tested nd found to comply with the EC Directives
89/336/EEC ‘EMC Directive’ nd 73/23/EEC ‘Low Volt ge Directive’ s
mended by 93/68/EEC.
Compli nce w s demonstr ted by conform nce to the following
specific tions which h ve been listed in the Offici l Journ l of the
Europe n Communities:
S fety EN61010: 2001
EMC EN61326: 1997
For Customers in the USA
This equipment h s been tested nd found to comply with the limits for
Cl ss A digit l device, pursu nt to p rt 15 of the FCC rules. These limits re
designed to provide re son ble protection g inst h rmful interference
when the equipment is oper ted in commerci l environment. This
equipment gener tes, uses nd c n r di te r dio frequency energy nd, if
not inst lled nd used in ccord nce with the instruction m nu l, m y
c use h rmful interference to r dio communic tions. Oper tion of this
equipment in residenti l re is likely to c use h rmful interference in
which c se the user will be required to correct the interference t his own
expense. Ch nges or modific tions not expressly pproved by ttocube
systems could void the user’s uthority to oper te the equipment.

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© 2001-2011 tto
cube
systems AG. Product nd comp ny n mes listed re tr dem rks
or tr de n mes of their
respective comp nies. Any rights not expressly gr nted herein re reserved. ATTENTION
: Specific tions nd technic l
d t re subject to ch nge without notice.
I.4. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directi e
DE16963721
Compliance
As required by the W ste Electric l nd Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
Directive of the Europe n Community nd the corresponding n tion l l ws,
ttocube systems offers ll end users in the EC the possibility to return
"end of life" units without incurring dispos l ch rges.
This offer is v lid for ttocube systems electric l nd electronic equipment:
•sold fter August 13th 2005,
•m rked correspondingly with the crossed out "wheelie bin" logo
(see logo to the left),
•sold to comp ny or institute within the EC,
•currently owned by comp ny or institute within the EC,
•still complete, not dis ssembled, nd not cont min ted.
As the WEEE directive pplies to self cont ined oper tion l electric l nd
electronic products, this "end of life" t ke b ck service does not refer to
other ttocube products, such s
•pure OEM products, th t me ns ssemblies to be built into unit
by the user (e. g. OEM electronic drivers),
•components,
•mech nics nd optics,
•left over p rts of units dis ssembled by the user (PCB's, housings
etc.).
If you wish to return n ttocube unit for w ste recovery, ple se cont ct
ttocube systems or your ne rest de ler for further inform tion.
Waste treatment on your own responsibility
If you do not return n "end of life" unit to ttocube systems, you must
h nd it to comp ny speci lized in w ste recovery. Do not dispose of the
unit in litter bin or t public w ste dispos l site.
Ecological background
It is well known th t WEEE pollutes the environment by rele sing toxic
products during decomposition. The im of the Europe n RoHS directive is
to reduce the content of toxic subst nces in electronic products in the
future.
The intent of the WEEE directive is to enforce the recycling of WEEE. A
controlled recycling of end of live products will thereby void neg tive
imp cts on the environment.

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II. Hardware Description
II.1. Mechanical Installation
Siting
Unp ck ll the components nd ret in ll p cking m teri l nd shipping
cont iner for your future shipping needs. When pl cing the controller, do
not obstruct the ventil tion slots in ny w y. M ke lso sure th t the
controller is not p ced close to ny liquids or moisture.
C refully unp ck nd visu lly inspect the controller nd st ges for ny
d m ge. Pl ce ll components on fl t nd cle n surf ce.
Caution. When siting the unit, it should be positioned so s not to impede
the oper tion of the re r p nel power supply plug nd switch. Ensure th t
proper irflow is m int ined to the unit. Do not obscure the ventil tion
holes
Warning. Oper tion outside the following environment l limits m y
dversely ffect oper tor s fety:
Indoor use only
M ximum ltitude 2000 m
Temper ture r nge 5°C to 40°C
M ximum humidity less th n 80% RH (non-condensing) t 31°C
To ensure reli ble oper tion the unit should not be exposed to corrosive
gents or excessive moisture, he t or dust. If the unit h s been stored t
low temper ture or in n environment of high humidity, it must be llowed
to re ch mbient conditions before being powered up.
Note. In pplic tions requiring the highest level of ccur cy nd
repe t bility, it is recommended th t the controller unit is powered up
pproxim tely 30 minutes before use, in order to llow the intern l
temper ture to st bilize.
Caution. Do not connect c bling longer th n 3m. Longer c bling m y
incre se the sensitivity of the device to extern l influences.