Digital Instruments OMV-NTSC User manual

© Digital Instruments, 1998 213-1
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Santa Barbara, CA 93117
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Support Note No. 213, Rev. A
NanoScope® OpticalViewing System
Models OMV-NTSC; OMV-PAL
Digital Instruments offers the NanoScope optical viewing system as an aid for
aligning “TopView” AFM, “TipView” STM and MultiMode™ scanning probe
microscopes (SPMs). The optical viewing system consists of a camera, which is
mounted vertically over the head of the SPM to view both sample surface and tip.
Figure 213-1 Complete NanoScope® Optical Viewing System.
(NOTE: monitor not included with Mod. OMV-PAL.)
Illuminator
Monitor
Optical Assembly
X-Y Translation
Stage
Fiber Optic Cable Granite Base
Focus Mount
Assembly

Optical Viewing System Support Note No. 213
213—2 Support Notes
213.1 Components
The optical viewing system includes the following:
•
Granite Base — The twenty pound granite slab is supported on four isolation
pads to dampen vibration for general scanning. An X-Y translation stage is
bolted to the granite for convenient lateral positioning of the SPM. For
extremely high magnification scans, the optical viewing system should be set
atop a vibration isolation table within an acoustic isolation chamber.
• Support Pole — The stainless steel pole is screwed onto the granite base to sup-
port the combined focus mounting and optical assemblies.
•
Bolt, Washer andAllen Wrench — Secure the support pole to the granite base.
• Optical Assembly — Consists of camera, objective and microscope body.
•
Focus Mount Assembly — Supports the optical assembly and permits vertical
motion for focusing.
• Split Collar — Clamps to the support pole to rest the focus mount assembly.
This may be positioned anywhere along the length of the support pole.
•
DelrinWasher — Fits over the pole, between the focus mount assembly and the
split collar. Allows low-friction rotation of the focus mount assembly.
•
Illuminator — Provides light for the optical viewing system, relayed via fiber
optic cable to the optical assembly.
•
Fiber Optic Cable — Connects the illuminator to the optical assembly.
•
Camera Power Supply — Connects the optical viewing system camera to the
monitor using a BNC connector cable and provides power to the camera.
•
Monitor (Optional) — Displays the video image.
•
Support Note 213, NanoScope OpticalViewing System — (This document.)

Support Notes 213—3
Support Note No. 213 Optical Viewing System
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213.2 Assembly of Optical Viewing System
213.2.1 Remove Contents from Packing Box
Carefully unpack all components from the packing box and check against the list
supplied in this document. If components are damaged or missing, contact Digital
Instruments immediately.
213.2.2 Screw Support Pole to Granite Base
Set the granite base on its side, with the counterbored side of the hole accessible,
and both X-Y translation stage adjustment knobs projecting into free space. DO
NOT REST THE GRANITE BASE ON EITHER OF THE TWO X-Y TRANSLA-
TION ADJUSTMENT KNOBS—THEY MAY BE DAMAGED.
Figure 213-2 Granite Base Positioning for Insertion of Socket Head Bolt
Insert the 1/2-13 socket head bolt and 1.5” OD washer from the underside of the
granite base through the hole. Screw the bolt into the support pole until snug, then
tighten the socket head bolt using the allen wrench supplied. Carefully set the base
and support pole in an upright position on a stable surface.
Tighten
DO NOT REST GRANITE BASE
AGAINST ADJUSTMENT KNOBS.

Optical Viewing System Support Note No. 213
213—4 Support Notes
213.2.3 Mount Split Collar and Delrin Washer
Orient the split collar with its grooved side upward, then slide it over the support
pole and position half way down the pole. Tighten the split collar’s knob until the
collar is firmly secured. Slide the delrin washer over the pole and rest atop the split
collar.
213.2.4 Install Focus Mount Assembly
Slide the focus mount assembly down the support pole until it rests atop the delrin
washer and split collar. The focus mount assembly should be oriented with its
mounting ring (and serial number tag) up. Tighten the focus mount assembly until
firmly secured.
213.2.5 Mount the Optical Assembly
Fit the optical assembly into the focus mount assembly, then rotate the optical
assembly until the fiber optic cable is oriented as shown in Figure 213-3. Insert and
tighten a thumbscrew through the mounting ring to secure the optical assembly.
213.2.6 Attach Camera and Fiber Optic Cables
Attach the camera cable to the top of the camera using the elbow connector pro-
vided. The connector is keyed so that it plugs onto the camera’s connector in the
proper orientation. Push the connector down until the outside ring snaps into place,
locking the cable connector to the camera. Route the cable through the retaining
clip on the left side of the focus mount assembly.

Support Notes 213—5
Support Note No. 213 Optical Viewing System
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Figure 213-3 Mounted optical assembly.
Orient camera body as shown (inset)
(FRONT)
Top of camera
Camera cable connector
Fiber optic cableRetaining clip

Optical Viewing System Support Note No. 213
213—6 Support Notes
213.2.7 Connect Camera Power Supply, Monitor & Illuminator
Connect the other end of the camera cable to the monitor’s VIDEO IN connector.
Connect the fiber optic cable to the illuminator. Plug the camera power supply,
monitor and illuminator power cords into a power strip.
Locate the LINEA/B button on the front of the monitor (provided with Mod. OMV-
NTSC), then verify that LINEA is switched ON.
213.2.8 Power the Optical Viewing System
Recheck that all cables are properly connected. Plug the power strip into a power
receptacle, then switch it to the ON position. If the system behaves unusually,
switch it OFF immediately!
213.3 Adjustment of Optical Viewing System
213.3.1 Mount the SPM and Adjust Camera Height
Using the focus mount assembly’s adjustment knob, raise the optical viewing sys-
tem to a height sufficient to clear the SPM to be used with the optical viewing sys-
tem. Set the SPM atop the X-Y translation stage on the granite base.
NOTE: Slots are provided on the X-Y translation stage to accomodate all “Top-
View”AFM, “TipView” STM and MultiMode scanning probe microscopes. These
microscopes feature precision balls on their bases and will mate kinematically with
the stage. The SPM should be oriented to face forward.
Using the split collar and focus mount assembly adjustment knob, carefully posi-
tion the camera objective until it is aligned with the SPM head’s viewing aperture.
The camera objective should be positioned approximately 13 mm above the height
of the head’s laser adjustment screws.
DO NOT CRASH THE CAMERA OBJECTIVE INTO THE SPM HEAD! It is saf-
est to position the camera objective just barely above the head’s laser adjustment
screws, then focus the optical viewing system by raising it upward (
never down-
ward! ). This will prevent crashing the camera objective.

Support Notes 213—7
Support Note No. 213 Optical Viewing System
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213.3.2 Set Illuminator Level
Turn the illuminator’s knob to the ON position, then increase the light intensity
until an image appears on the monitor.
The illuminator intensity should be set to a level which is sufficiently bright to
clearly view objects in the camera’s field of view, but no brighter.
213.3.3 Fine Alignment of SPM and Camera
Use the X-Y translation stage to align the SPM and optical viewing system. The
camera may be rotated in the beam splitter body to obtain proper angular alignment
on the monitor. The monitor should render a “true” image, showing the probe posi-
tioned at the right side of the screen
213.4 Suggestions
When operating your SPM with the optical viewing system, it is recommended that
the tip be brought close to the sample surface BEFORE aligning the laser with the
tip.
If specks of dirt appear on the video image, clean the camera objective’s dust cover
(the clear glass plate located on the business end of the camera). The dust cover is
removed by unscrewing the camera objective. Clean inside and out, then replace.
Use adjustment knobs on the focus mount assembly to raise and lower the camera;
however, tension in the mount assembly’s slide must be maintained sufficiently to
prevent the optical assembly from slipping downward. To adjust tension in the

Optical Viewing System Support Note No. 213
213—8 Support Notes
focus m ount assembly slide, counterrotate left-right adjustment knobs clockwise as
shown below:
Figure 213-4 To increase tension, turn both knobs CW.
It is recommeded that tension be adjusted with the SPM removed to ensure the
objective does not drop onto the SPM head.