NT-MDT Solver SNOM User manual

www.ntmdt-si.com
Solver SNOM
Instruction Manual
Scanning Near-Field
Optical Microscope

www.ntmdt-si.com
NT-MDT Spectrum Instruments Proezd 4922, 4/3
Zelenograd, Moscow 124460, Russia
Tel.: + 7 [phone]
Solver SNOM
Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscope
Instruction Manual
2009 - 2018,
Copyright © NT-MDT SI

Read me First!
Observe safety measures for operation with devices containing sources of laser radiation.
Do not stare into the beam. A label warning about the presence of laser radiation is
attached to the laser sources (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1
Before you start working with the instrument, get acquainted with the basic safety
measures and the operation conditions for the instrument!
If you are a beginner in scanning probe microscopy, we recommend you to familiarize with
basic SPM techniques. “Fundamentals of Scanning Probe Microscopy” by V.L. Mironov
gives a good introduction to the subject. This book is available free of charge at
https://www.ntmdt-si.com/customer-support/manuals/textbook.
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Should you have any questions, which are not explained in the manuals, please contact the
Service Department of the company ([email protected]) and our engineers will
give you comprehensive answers. Alternatively, you can contact our staff on-line using
the ask-on-line service (http://online.ntmdt-si.com/online).

User’s documentation set
The following manuals are included into the user’s documentation set:
-Instruction Manual – is the guidance on preparation of the instrument and other
equipment for operation on various techniques of Scanning Probe Microscopy. The
contents of the user’s documentation set may differ depending on the delivery set of the
instrument.
-SPM Software Reference Manual – is the description of the control program
interface functions, all commands and functions of the menu and, also a description of
the Image Analysis module and the Macro Language “Nova PowerScript”.
-Control Electronics. Reference Manual – is the guide to SPM controller,
Thermocontroller and Signal Access module.
Some equipment, which is described in the manuals, may not be included into your
delivery set. Read the specification of your contract for more information.
The manuals are updated regularly. Their latest versions can be found in the site of the
company (http://www.ntmdt-si.com/support).

Solver SNOM. Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscope. Instruction Manual
Solver SNOM. Scanning Near-Field Optical
Microscope. Instruction Manual
Table of Contents
1. BASIC INFORMATION.........................................................................................................................5
1.1. PURPOSE OF THE SOLVER SNOM..................................................................................................... 5
1.2. DESCRIPTION OF MAIN COMPONENTS .............................................................................................. 5
1.2.1. Inverted Optical Microscope ......................................................................................... 6
1.2.2. XY Scanning Stage.........................................................................................................7
1.2.3. Z-scanner of the objective..............................................................................................8
1.2.4. SNOM Measuring Head.................................................................................................9
1.2.5. Optical Fiber Probe.....................................................................................................12
1.2.6. Photomultiplier Modules.............................................................................................. 13
1.2.7. Laser Module...............................................................................................................14
1.2.8. SPM Controller............................................................................................................14
1.2.9. Vibration Isolation System...........................................................................................15
1.3. THEORY OF OPERATION OF SOLVER SNOM................................................................................... 15
1.4. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS ....................................................................................................... 20
1.5. BASIC SAFETY MEASURES.............................................................................................................. 22
1.6. OPERATING CONDITIONS ................................................................................................................ 23
1.7. STORAGE AND TRANSPORT REGULATION ....................................................................................... 24
2. SETUP AND INSTALLATION............................................................................................................25
2.1. INSTALLING THE Z-SCANNER AND THE OBJECTIVE ......................................................................... 25
2.2. INSTALLING THE SCANNING STAGE ................................................................................................ 26
2.3. INSTALLING OF A SPECIAL SUPPORT ON THE MEASURING HEAD .................................................... 28
2.4. CABLE CONNECTIONS..................................................................................................................... 30
2.5. ASSEMBLY OF THE LASER MODULE ............................................................................................... 31
2.6. CONFIGURING THE CONTROL PROGRAM.......................................................................................... 35
2.7. POWERING SEQUENCE..................................................................................................................... 35
3. PREPARATION OF THE SOLVER SNOM FOR OPERATION ....................................................37
3.1. INSTALLATION OF THE PROBE INTO THE MEASURING HEAD........................................................... 37
3.2. PREPARATION AND INSTALLATION OF THE OPTICAL FIBER IN THE LASER MODULE....................... 40
3.3. SETTING UP THE TRANSMISSION MODE .......................................................................................... 42
3.4. SETTING UP THE REFLECTION MODE .............................................................................................. 45
4. MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE........................................................................................................47
4.1. INITIAL STATE ................................................................................................................................47
4.2. MAIN OPERATING PROCEDURES..................................................................................................... 47
4.3. SETTING OF THE INSTRUMENT CONFIGURATION............................................................................. 48
4.4. SELECTING THE MODE OF SCANNING .............................................................................................. 48
4.5. MOUNTING A SAMPLE .................................................................................................................... 48
4.6. ADJUSTING THE SCANNING STAGE SENSORS ................................................................................... 49
4.7. INSTALLATION OF THE MEASURING HEAD ON THE SCANNING STAGE ............................................ 51
4.8. SEARCH FOR RESONANCE FREQUENCY........................................................................................... 53
4.9. SETTING THE SIGNAL TUNE_FORK INITIAL LEVEL .......................................................................... 56
4.10. PROBE LANDING............................................................................................................................. 56
4.11. SETTING OF THE PHOTOMULTIPLIER MODULE PARAMETERS.......................................................... 58
4.12. SCANNING ...................................................................................................................................... 60
4.12.1. Setting of Scanning Parameters................................................................................... 60
4.12.2. Triggering of Scanning ................................................................................................63
4.12.3. Methods of Improving Image Quality ..........................................................................64
5. SAVING OF MEASUREMENT RESULTS........................................................................................65
6. TERMINATION OF MEASUREMENTS...........................................................................................66

Chapter 1. Basic Information
1. Basic Information
1.1. Purpose of the Solver SNOM
The Solver SNOM is a specialized SPM measurement system built on the Solver platform.
A SNOM measuring head lies in the basis of this system.
SNOM techniques are used to study near-s urface optical charact eristics (including
luminescent and spectral) of various object s with resolution m uch greate r th an the
diffraction lim it. The higher resolution is ga ined by exposing sam ples with light going
through a diaphragm whose aperture is m uch less than the wavelength of the radiation
detected. The surface un der study lies in th e near field of the diaphrag m (at distan ces of
about 10 nm).
The m ost advanced technologies used in th e design of the system and the powerful
software make the Solver SNOM easy to adapt it to a broad variety of research tasks and to
use it in research laboratories, universities and scientific centers. For exam ple, to study
biological o bjects, for optics quality c ontrol, to study light em itting se miconductor
structures, properties of nano- optical and integrated optics com ponents, to investigate
characteristics of nano-electronic elements and quantum dots spectra, in particular.
The Solver SNOM can be used to solve the following problems:
−Measure surface topography of the sample under investigation;
−Measure s urface optical prope rties (reflection and transm ission coefficients,
distributions of luminescent characteristics);
−Perform nano-lithography operations (inc luding optical lithography on photosensitive
samples and thermo-lithography).
1.2. Description of Main Components
Main components of the Solver SNOM
The following parts are included in the basis configuration of the Solver SNOM:
1. Inverted Optical Microscope (item 1.2.1 on page 6);
2. XY Scanning Stage (item 1.2.2 on page 7);
3. Z-scanner of the objective (item 1.2.3 on page 8);
4. SNOM Measuring Head (item 1.2.4 on page 9);
5. Optical Fiber Probe (item 1.2.5 on page 12);
6. Photomultiplier Modules (item 1.2.6 on page 13);
7. Laser Module (item 1.2.7 on page 14);
8. SPM Controller (item 1.2.8 on page 14);
9. Vibration Isolation System (item 1.2.9 on page 15).
5