Starting the AFM from Zero

Roger Robbins                                                                                                                                                                  6/17/2008

Introduction

This short document describes the steps required to bring up the AFM from a condition of all power and facilities off.  This startup procedure seems to be needed often here because of many building projects, lightening storms, and other unforeseen happenings.  The AFM is quite complex and the startup procedure requires a specific order of turn on, so this document attempts to provide a simple guide to the process, especially for trained staff members.  At the conclusion of this procedure, the tool should be ready for users to image samples.

Startup Procedure

This step by step treatise assumes that all the power and other facilities have been shut off for a brief time such as the weekend and now are available again.  The listed steps are in approximate order.

  • Make an entry in the AFM logbook that you are starting up the system
  • Power up the system – follow this order
    • Turn on the AFM Computer using the push-button switch on the front of the computer
    • Turn on the monitors using the push button monitor on buttons
    • Turn on the NanoScope V controller using the power switch located on the rear of the controller.
    • Turn on the Dimension controller using the power switch on the rear of the controller.
  • Log into Windows XP
    • Press CTRL-ALT-DELETE
      • Note that the resulting window is centered across the two monitors, so just click on the upper rail of the window and drag it to one screen .
    • Enter the username NANOSCOPE
    • Leave the password blank and hit ENTER
  • Execute the AFM software
    • Click on the Microscope Icon
    • After the program comes up, click on the Microscope icon located just under the File menu on the AFM program window. This brings up the control windows.
  • Initialize the stage
    • Check to make sure that the AFM tip assembly is not in the way of the stage
      • If it is too low and the stage might run into it, lift the tip head
        • Push the up arrow on the Z-Motor ruler on the Navigation window (right monitor) and drive the tip head up about i/8 inch above all obstacles on the stage.
      • Select Tools > Stage > Initialize
      • The stage will drive to home position
      • The microscope will set the Zoom, Focus and Z-Axis zero positions
    • The system at this point is ready for a user. This procedure has not verified the operation, but the trained user should be able to handle the system from this point.
    • Note the results in the logbook.