NOVA SPM Control Program

Transcription

1 NOVA SPM Control Program Reference Manual 13 April 2009 Copyright «NT-MDT» Web Page: General Information: Technical Support: NT-MDT Co., building 100, Zelenograd, , Moscow, Russia Tel.: Fax:

2 NOVA. SPM Control Program PART 1. NOVA. SPM Control Program Contents at a Glance INTRODUCTION FUNCTIONALITY GETTING STARTED CONTROL PROGRAM INTERFACE MAIN MENU MAIN PARAMETERS PANEL GENERAL OPERATIONS AREA ADDITIONAL OPERATIONS AREA DATA FORMATS DATA DATA TAB AIMING TAB RESONANCE TAB APPROACH TAB SCAN TAB CURVES TAB LITHO TAB XY STAGE TAB RL STAGE TAB HV STAGE TAB SCTP0 STAGE TAB SPECTRA TAB SCHEME TAB VIDEO TAB CLOSED LOOP TAB THERMO 150 C TAB THERMOSTAT TAB MAGNET TAB ELECTROCHEMISTRY TAB NTEGRA TOMO TAB

3 Contents at a Glance APPENDICES CONFIGURATOR PAR FILE SCRIPTS QUICK LAUNCH PANEL CALCULATOR IMPORTING AND EXPORTING DATA PALETTE EDITOR CREATING AND VIEWING AVI FILES

4 NOVA. SPM Control Program NOVA. SPM Control Program Contents INTRODUCTION FUNCTIONALITY GETTING STARTED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS SOFTWARE INSTALLATION UPGRADING THE CONTROL PROGRAM STARTING AND QUITTING THE CONTROL PROGRAM CONTROL PROGRAM INTERFACE MAIN MENU MAIN PARAMETERS PANEL GENERAL OPERATIONS AREA ADDITIONAL OPERATIONS AREA DATA FORMATS MDT FILE Saving and Loading Data Data Types MDT file Content IMPORTING DATA EXPORTING DATA DATA ONE-DIMENSIONAL DATA One-dimensional Data View Toolbar D-data Plot Adjusting the 1D Data Display Software Oscilloscope Toolbar Control Panel Oscilloscope Screen TWO-DIMENSIONAL DATA Toolbar D data Plot Adjustment of 2D data Plot D DATA Toolbar D Data Viewing Area Adjusting the 3D Data Viewing Area CCD FULL SPECTRUM DATA TEXT DATA DATA TAB CONTROL PANEL FILE REVIEW PANEL FRAME REVIEW AND EDITING PANEL

5 Contents 11. AIMING TAB RESONANCE TAB PANEL OF FREQUENCY DEPENDENCY SETTINGS GENERATION PANEL OF GENERATOR SETTINGS PANEL OF DETECTOR SETTINGS APPROACH TAB SCAN TAB SCANNING CONTROL PANEL SCAN SETTINGS DIALOG BOX D SCANNING DATA VIEW PANEL D SCANNING DATA VIEW PANEL CURVES TAB SPECTROSCOPY MEASUREMENT CONTROL PANEL D SCANNING DATA VIEW PANEL SPECTROSCOPY DATA VIEW PANEL LITHO TAB RASTER LITHOGRAPHY Lithography Control Panel Lithography Template Panel VECTOR LITHOGRAPHY Lithography Control Panel Toolbar XY STAGE TAB RL STAGE TAB HV STAGE TAB SCTP0 STAGE TAB SPECTRA TAB ANDOR CCD TAB Toolbar Device Parameters Adjustment Panel Data View Panel Panels for Operation with Selected Spectral Regions RENISHAW CCD TAB Toolbar Device Parameters Adjustment Panel Spectrum View Panel Panels for Operation with Selected Spectral Regions SCAN TAB Control Panel of the Scan Tab D Scan Data View Panels D Scan Data View Panel SCHEME TAB INTERACTIVE BLOCK SCHEME FEEDBACK LOOP PANEL DETECTORS PANEL GENERATOR PANEL VOLTAGE SUPPLY PANEL

6 NOVA. SPM Control Program 23. VIDEO TAB CLOSED LOOP TAB THERMO 150 C TAB THERMOSTAT TAB MAGNET TAB ELECTROCHEMISTRY TAB CONTROL PANEL BI POTENTIOSTAT CALIBRATION DIALOG BOX CYCLING TAB PROGRAM TAB GRAPH TAB NTEGRA TOMO TAB APPENDICES CONFIGURATOR FUNCTIONS AND CAPABILITIES LAUNCHING AND TERMINATING OPERATIONS WITH THE CONFIGURATOR INTERFACE DESCRIPTION Main Menu Toolbar Operating Area OPERATIONS WITH THE CONFIGURATOR Save and Restore the Initial Configuration of the Control Program Creating and Altering Configuration Data Loading the Configuration Data PAR FILE SCRIPTS QUICK LAUNCH PANEL CALCULATOR CALCULATED EXPRESSIONS SYNTAX Variables Numbers Operators Frames Constants Functions Using Variables Calculation Results SYNTAX ERRORS IMPORTING AND EXPORTING DATA IMPORTING DATA Importing Graphics Importing ASCII Importing Binary Importing TWAIN Importing OS Importing Proscan Importing TLK

7 Contents 5.2. EXPORTING DATA Exporting to Graphics Exporting to ASCII Exporting to Matlab Exporting to Excel Exporting to ImagePro PALETTE EDITOR CREATING AND VIEWING AVI FILES

8 NOVA. SPM Control Program Introduction This manual will provide you with a reference on the interface of the program that controls Probe NanoLaboratories designed on the basis of the NTEGRA platform and Scanning Probe Microscopes based on the Solver platform (further referred to as 'instrument'). The manual contains a detailed explanation of all components, functions and elements of the control program interface. 1-8

9 Chapter 1. Functionality 1. Functionality The Nova control program is intended for operating the instruments manufactured by NT-MDT. The Nova program implements the following functions: - adjustment of the optical system for detecting cantilever deflections; - acquisition and processing of frequency responses; - control over the approach mechanism; - control over the sample scan process; - processing of data obtained with the instrument; - conduction of spectroscopy measurements; - control over the nanoscale surface modifications (nanolithography); - control over the sample positioner; - control over Scanning stage and Z-scanner; - operation of the sample heater; - creation of automation scripts using macro-language Nova PowerScript; - interactive software-controlled configuration of the instrument; - signal analysis; - adjustment of capacitance sensors; - electromagnet operation; - electrochemical cell bipotentiostat operation; - control over the ultramicrotome; - control over SPM NanoFab

10 NOVA. SPM Control Program 2. Getting Started 2.1. System Requirements The computer configuration shall be at least as follows: - CPU Pentium II; Mb free space on the hard drive; Mb RAM; - CD drive; - Display resolution ; - operating system Windows XP and higher Software Installation 1. Power on the computer. 2. Insert the installation disk into the CD-drive. 3. Run setup.exe. The following window will appear on the screen. To start the installation click Next. Fig

11 Chapter 2. Getting Started 4. You will be prompted to familiarize yourself with the license agreement. Fig. 2-2 If you agree with all terms of the license agreement click Yes. Otherwise the installation will be canceled. 5. Define a folder where the program will be installed. The default folder is C:\Program Files\NT-MDT\Nova. Fig

12 NOVA. SPM Control Program 6. To start the installation click Next. Fig The installer will start unpacking files in the specified folder. Fig

13 Chapter 2. Getting Started 8. In case you re-install the program the installer will prompt you for a folder where the existing files will be copied. The default folder is C:\Program Files\NT-MDT\Nova\BACKUP. Fig Then the installer will offer you to set up the SPM driver. If the controller driver has not been installed earlier, click Install. Fig

14 NOVA. SPM Control Program 10. Click Finish after the installation procedure is complete. Fig When the installation is finished a shortcut to the Nova program will appear on the desktop Upgrading the Control Program The control program can be upgraded from the NT-MDT company web site ( Installation archive of the upgraded version shall be saved on the hard drive. Installation of the upgraded version is similar to that described in Item 2.1 (see page 1-10). 1-14

15 Chapter 2. Getting Started 2.4. Starting and Quitting the Control Program To start the control program, either use the desktop shortcut or run the NOVA.exe file from the program folder. After the instrument has been powered on the program carries out the instrument initialization procedure. Upon finishing it the instrument status bar in the lower-left corner of the program main window indicates one of the following states: initialization is completed successfully. The instrument is ready for operation; the controller is powered off; the interface card is not installed or the controller is out of order; controller PLM (Programmable Logic Matrix) loading error. ATTENTION! At the first start of the Nova program after re-installation or after the controller has been changed, the Analog-Digital Converter Z shall be calibrated relative to the Digital-Analog Converter Z with the controller powered on. During the calibration the probe shall be withdrawn from the sample. The calibration is required for proper operation of two-pass techniques and spectroscopy on Z. To proceed with the calibration select Tools Nova PowerScript Scripts ADCDACCalibration_1_7. For a detailed description of using scripts refer to Part 3 Nova PowerScript Macro Language. To quit the program, close its main window. 1-15

16 NOVA. SPM Control Program 3. Control Program Interface The main components of the Nova control program interface include (see Fig. 3-1): - Main menu; - Main Parameters panel; - Main Operations panel; - General Operations Area; - Additional Operations panel; - Additional Operations Area; - Status bar. Moreover, in the upper-right corner of the program Main window contains the button which opens the Additional Operations Area. Main menu Main Parameters panel Main Operations panel Additional Operations panel Status bar General Operations Area Additional Operations Area Fig Interface of the control program 1-16

17 Chapter 3. Control Program Interface The Main menu contains the following drop-down menus: File operations with data files; View interface parameters options; Settings adjustments of the program and instrument parameters; Tools provides access to macro language tools; Help displays help. The Main parameters panel contains most frequently-used controls that allow you to specify basic parameters required to operate the instrument. The Panel of Main Operations includes the buttons which switch among the tabs in the General Operations Area. The captions of the buttons correspond to operations names. The order of the buttons reflects the most typical sequence of procedures performed with the instrument. Using the buttons of the Main Operations panel you can quickly navigate the corresponding tabs. Each tab has its own group of control elements and parameters. The Additional Operations panel includes the buttons which switch among the tabs in the Additional Operations Area. Each tab has its own group of control elements and parameters. NOTE. The set of tabs depends on the configuration of your instrument. The Status bar displays various information parameters specific for the selected tab. The Status bar consists of two parts: - Left part (Indicators); - Right part (Information). The left part of the Status bar displays the following indicators: - the instrument state indicator; - instrument type indicator (currently not in use); - the scanner extension indicator. The control program contains multiple input boxes (see Fig. 3-2), that allow you to enter numerical values of various parameters. 1-17

18 NOVA. SPM Control Program Input boxes Fig Input boxes The value of each parameter can be specified using one of the ways listed below: - from the keyboard; - using a slider (Fig. 3-3) that appears after you double-click the input box. Fig Slider To confirm the selected value, click outside the slider. NOTE. To change the slider sensitivity use number keys 1 to 9 on the keyboard. When you hold key 1 the slider sensitivity is maximum, and when 9 is pressed it is minimal. To set the exact value, use the mouse while holding <Alt>: Fig. 3-4 Selecting range As a result, the specified range will be extended to the whole slider length: Fig. 3-5 The result 1-18

19 Chapter 4. Main Menu 4. Main Menu The main menu of the control program includes the following drop-down menus: File, View, Settings, Tools and Help. The File drop-down menu contains the following commands: Fig Drop-down menu File New Open Reopen Save Save As Save All Close Close All Import Export Exit creates a new data file; opens a previously saved data file; opens a list of ten data files recently opened in the program; save the current data file with all modifications made; opens a dialog for saving the current data file; saves all data files opened in the program with all modifications made to them; closes the current data file; closes all data files open in the program; imports various data types to the *.mdt format; exports data from *.mdt into other formats; quits the control program. 1-19

20 NOVA. SPM Control Program The View drop-down menu contains the following commands: Fig Drop-down menu View - Operation Page opens a list of windows that enable the instrument control and adjustment and data analysis. For user convenience the Operation Page menu was located in the upper part of the program window as a panel containing tabs; - Additional Page shows Additional Operations Area which displays additional operations tabs and provides access to software oscilloscopes. The selection of this command has the same effect as clicking in the upper-right corner of the program window; - Toolbox View opens the panel display options menu. It contains the following commands: - Panel standard panel display; Fig Scroll the panel is displayed in one line with the scroll option; Fig Wrap the panel fills all designated area (depending on the size of the Main (Additional) Operations area); Fig Visibility Setup opens the program interface options menu. The menu includes the following commands: - Main SPM Parameters displays the panel for configuring the main instrument parameters; - Operation Tabs displays the panel which provides fast access to the commands included in the Operation Page menu; - Status Bar displays the status bar. 1-20

21 Chapter 4. Main Menu The Settings drop-down menu contains the following commands: Fig Drop-down menu Settings - Hard Parameters opens the submenu for saving and loading instrument hardware configuration files: - Load Hard Parameters opens the dialog box to load an instrument configuration file (a file with the *.hrd extension); - Save Hard Parameters opens the dialog to save the current instrument configuration (in a file with the *.hrd extension); - Calibrations opens the submenu for processing scanner calibration coefficients and their parameters. The submenu includes the following commands: - Save Calibrations opens the dialog box to save scanner calibration parameters in a par file; - Load Calibrations opens the dialog box to load scanner calibration parameters from a par file; - Change Calibrations opens the Scanner Calibrations Setup dialog box to specify the piezo scanner calibration parameters; For a description of the par file refer to Appendix 2 on page Palette opens the submenu for processing with palette (a file with the *.pal extension): - Default Palettee opens the dialog box to load a palette; - Device Info opens the info window containing details on the instrument (the controller model). - PCI Card Manager opens the info window containing the type of the interface card and the number of the slot in the computer used by the card: 1-21

22 NOVA. SPM Control Program The Tools drop-down menu contains the following commands: Fig Drop-down menu Tools - Palette Editor opens the Palette Editor. A description of the Palette Editor is given in Appendix 6 on page Nova PowerScript opens the scripts submenu: - Scripts opens the script selection list; - Nova PowerScript Editor opens the built-in script editor. For a detailed description of using scripts refer to Part 3 Macro Language Nova PowerScript. The Help drop-down menu contains the following commands: Fig Drop-down menu Help - Contents opens the help file; - NT-MDT Home Page opens the NT-MDT company web site; - NT-MDT Links opens the submenu of links to the NT-MDT company web site pages: - Application Notes; - Scan Galery; - SPM Techniques; - FAQ; - About opens the info window containing details on the program, computer OS, processor type. 1-22

23 Chapter 5. Main Parameters Panel 5. Main Parameters Panel The Main Parameters panel is shown in Fig Fig Main Parameters panel NOTE. The content of the panel depends on the selected controller configuration for the group of methods. A description of the Main Parameters Panel is given below. Controller configuration list for a group of modes. The list contains the following items: Contact Semicontact configuration for contact AFM group of modes; configuration for semicontact AFM group of modes; Tunnel Current configuration for STM group of modes; SNOM1 SNOM2 Custom configuration for SNOM group of modes (when using SPM Solver SNOM or PNL NTEGRA SOLARIS); configuration for SNOM group of modes (when using PNL NTEGRA SOLARIS with exchangeable mount model SCC06NTF); user-defined controller configuration. When you select Contact, SemiContact, TunnelCurrent or SNOM1 and SNOM2 menu commands the instrument electronic circuitry is automatically configured and the main parameters are set according to the chosen configuration. When you select the Custom command you shall make all the settings manually. feedback on/off button; feedback gain input box; feedback input signal list; Set Point input box; the input box for the d.c. bias voltage applied to the adder; laser on/off button. 1-23

24 NOVA. SPM Control Program 6. General Operations Area The most part of the program window is occupied by the General Operations Area, its upper part accommodating the Main Operations panel which includes several tabs. The functionality of the tabs is briefly described below. - Data data-processing tab: - view/edit SPM data; - import/export data. - Aiming detection system adjustment tab: - the indication of the photo detector signals in graphical and numerical formats. - Resonance frequency response measurements tab: - acquisition of amplitude and phase responses as a function of frequency; - control over the generator and the lock-in amplifier parameters; - automatic determination of the resonance peak. - Approach the approach system tab: - support for various approach systems; - support for different approach procedures. - NanoFab SPM NanoFab 100 control tab. - Scan the scan image acquisition tab: - automatic instrument configuration for all standard techniques and modes; - control and adjustment of all scan parameters; - real-time adjustment of the controller parameters; - acquisition of up to 8 images for one scan session; - support for two-pass techniques; - cyclic scan. - Curves 1D-functions acquisition tab: - capability to obtain various 1D curves; - support of capacitance sensor digital feedback; - measurements in a point, along a line or a grid. 1-24

25 Chapter 6. General Operations Area - Litho nanoscale surface modifications tab: - raster lithography: - voltage and force lithographic impact; - support of all modern raster formats as templates; - vector lithography: - voltage and force lithographic impact; - convenient CAD for creating vector templates; - support of the dxf format as a vector template. - RL-Mover sample movement control tab: - manual and automatic control over the sample positioner; - creation and editing of automatic measurement programs; - statistical analysis of the results. - SCTP0 Stage Scanning stage and Z-scanner control tab. 1-25

26 NOVA. SPM Control Program 7. Additional Operations Area To open the Additional Operations Area click program window. in the upper-right corner of the The upper part of the Additional Operations Area contains the Additional Operations panel. The latter includes the buttons that allow you to switch among the tabs included in the Additional Operations Area. Each tab has its own group of control commands and parameters. You can open the following tabs in the upper part of the Additional Operations Area: - Oscillograph second software oscilloscope; - Scheme instrument Block-Scheme; - Aiming detection system tab; - Video video image display tab; - Closed Loop this tab is used to control the parameters of the systems equipped with capacitance sensors; - Thermo 1500C и Thermostat sample heating device operation tab; - Magnet magnetic-field controller operations tab; - ElectroChemistry electrochemical cell bipotentiostat tab; - Ntegra Tomo ultramicrotome tab. In the lower part of the Additional Operations Area there is a Software Oscilloscope (Item on page 1-40). NOTE. Use the second software oscilloscope when you need to view signals on different oscilloscopes. 1-26

27 Chapter 8. Data Formats 8. Data Formats The Nova program processes data in the MDT format MDT file An MDT file can store more than 2 billion frames. (Frame is an independent part of data) Saving and Loading Data To save obtained data to a hard drive proceed as follows: 1. In the Main menu select: File Save. 2. In the dialog box that opens choose a folder to store the obtained data (the default folder is C:\Program Files\NT-MDT\Nova.) Enter a name for the file and save it with the *.mdt extension. NOTE. By default, the scan image is saved in NoNameXX.mdt file, where XX is the number of the file in the Nova folder. To open a file, proceed as follows: 1. In the Main menu select: File Open. 2. In the dialog box that opens choose the folder which contains the file (the default folder is C:\Program Files\NT-MDT\Nova). Highlight the file name using the mouse and click Open Data Types The Nova program works with data of the following types: - one-dimensional (spectroscopy, 2D-data cross-sections, etc); - two-dimensional (scan images, lithography templates, etc); - tree-dimensional (e.g. 3D-volume scan data); - text data (notes to the experiments and other records). 1-27

28 NOVA. SPM Control Program MDT file Content To view the contents of a MDT file use the Open dialog box. When you open a MDT file (File Open) the Open dialog box appears (see Fig. 8-1). Fig Open dialog box When you select a MDT file in the lower part of the Open dialog box (see Fig. 8-1) a list of file frames appears which contains several columns. The Name column displays the frame name and type represented by icon: one-dimensional data; two-dimensional data; three-dimensional data; text data. The Info column displays frame information. The Created column contains the frame creation date and time. Comments about the frame are displayed in the Comment column. 1-28

29 Chapter 8. Data Formats When you select a frame its content is displayed in the right part of the Open dialog box. when the check box is selected, only graphic frames are displayed in the right part of the Open dialog box. navigation buttons for the frames in the list: - the Previous Frame button switches to the previous frame in the list; - the Run button starts successive switching of frames. When clicked, it has the following shape. Otherwise, the frames are changed according to their order. - the Next Frame button proceeds to the next frame in the list Importing Data Files of the following formats can be imported in the Nova program: - Graphics formats: - Windows bitmaps (*.bmp); - Windows icons (*.ico); - Windows metafiles (*.wmf, *.emf); - JPG (*.jpg, *.jpe, *.jpeg); - TIFF (*.tif, *.tiff); - Targa (*.tga, *.vst, *.icb, *.vda, *.win); - PCX (*.pcx, *.pcc, *.scr); - RLA (*.rla, *.rpf); - SGI (*.bw, *.rgb, *.rgba, *.sgi); - PSD (*.psd, *.pdd); - PPM (*.ppm, *.pgm, *.pbm); - Autodesk images (*.cel, *.pic); - Kodak Photo-CD images (*.pcd); - GIF (*.gif); - Dr. Halo images (*.cut); - Paintshop Pro images (*.psp); - PNG (*.png). 1-29

30 NOVA. SPM Control Program - ASCII formats: - *.txt. - Other formats: - Binary file, for example *.dat or without extension Exporting Data Files of the formats listed below can be exported from the Nova program: - ASCII formats: - *.txt. - Graphics formats: - Windows bitmaps (*.bmp); - JPG (*.jpg, *.jpe, *.jpeg); - TIFF(*.tif). - Other formats: - *.m (Matlab); - *.xls (Excel). Data import and export procedures are described in Appendix 5 on page

31 Chapter 9. Data 9. Data The Nova program works with data of the following types: - one-dimensional data (results of spectroscopy measurements, 2D-data cross-sections, etc); - two-dimensional (scan images, lithography templates, 3D-data cross-sections, etc); - tree-dimensional (for example, 3D-volume scan data); - text data (notes to the experiments and other records) One-dimensional Data One-dimensional data are represented by the Nova program in two ways: - Statically in a One-dimensional Data View (see Item on page 1-31); - Dynamically in a Software oscilloscope (see Item on page 1-40) One-dimensional Data View Toolbar 1D Data plot Fig One-dimensional Data View 1-31

32 NOVA. SPM Control Program One-dimensional data view includes the following elements: - Toolbar (Item on page 1-32); - 1D-data Plot (Item on page 1-34) Toolbar Fig Toolbar of One-dimensional Data View The elements of the toolbar are described below. Save opens the dialog box for saving the current frame in a separate file with the *.txt extension; Store 1D Data attaches the current frame as a new one to the initial file; Save 1D Image opens the dialog box for saving the current frame as a separate graphics file (a file with the *.bmp or *.jpg extension); Print 1D Image prints the current frame image; Move Visible Area allows moving the visible region using the mouse. To change the size of the displayed area, activate Move Visible Area and use the mouse while holding <Ctrl>. When you wish to modify the scale of the displayed area, activate Move Visible Area and use the mouse while holding <Shift>. Zoom In is a magnification tool. After clicking this button, click in the center of the region you wish to magnify or select the desired data fragment; Zoom Out is a scaling down tool. It allows you to reduce the size of a previously magnified region; Markers turns on a single marker. The marker can be moved along the X-axis using the keys < > and < > or the mouse; Pair Markers turns on a pair of markers. With the single marker turned on, the pair of markers can also be activated by pressing <Ctrl>; Fit All Graphs to Visible Area If pressed, the axis scales are automatically adjusted to fit all plots into the display area. 1-32

33 Chapter 9. Data To change the axis scale, use the following procedures: - while holding the left mouse button and <Ctrl>, use the mouse to mark the range of the values; - holding the left mouse button and <Shift>, use the mouse to specify the range of the values. Settings opens the SettingsDialog box. In the SettingsDialog box you can specify the interface options of the 1D data View (including axes scales, fonts, captions, lines, etc). The settings of the 1D data View interface are described in Item on page The Toolbar of the 1D-data view on the Data tab looks like shown below: Fig. 9-3 The buttons on the Toolbar are described above with the exception of: the Analysis button which starts the Image Analysis tool. While scanning, the Toolbar of the 1D-data view on the Scan tab has the following appearance: Fig. 9-4 The buttons on the Toolbar are described above with the exception of: Graph Width to Visible Area if pressed, the scale of the X-axis is automatically adjusted for the function plot to fit the whole 1D data display area; Fit Active Graph Height to Visible Area if pressed, the scale of the Y-axis is automatically adjusted so that the height of the function plot fits the 1D data display area. 1-33

34 NOVA. SPM Control Program D-data Plot 1D data plot contains plots of one-variable functions (e.g. spectroscopy curves, profiles, etc) Adjusting the 1D Data Display When you click in the toolbar of 1D Data display the SettingsDialog box appears (Fig. 9-5). It allows you to adjust the 1D Data View interface. Fig Settings Dialog box The toolbar of the SettingsDialog box includes the following buttons: Load Settings opens the dialog box to load the settings from a file with a *.cfg extension; Save Settings opens the dialog box to save the current settings as a separate file with *.cfg extension; Black&White sets black-and-white interface mode; Default color settings sets the default color palette. 1-34

35 Chapter 9. Data The lower part of the Settings Dialog box includes the following buttons: saves the parameters as default; quits without saving the parameters. The parameters available from the SettingsDialog box are combined into the following groups (Fig. 9-6): - Fonts and Colors parameters; - Axes parameters; - Advanced parameters; - Graphs parameters. Fig Main groups of parameters Fonts and Colors parameters group The elements of the Fonts and Colors parameters group are shown in Fig Fig Fonts and Colors parameters group 1-35

36 NOVA. SPM Control Program Fig Title Font Fig Axes Name Font Fig Axes Values Font The Fonts and Colors parameters group includes: - Title Font that contains (see Fig. 9-8): - Name font name; - Size font size; - Color font color; - Style font style; - Axes Name Font that contains (see Fig. 9-9): - Name font name; - Size font size; - Color font color; - Style font style; - Axes Values Font includes( Fig. 9-10): - Name font name; - Size font size; - Color font color; - Style font style; - Axes Border Color; - Field Color; - Background Color; - Grid Color; - Grid Style; - Selected Area Color; - Selected Area Border Color; - Selected Area Active Color; - Selected Area Hot Track Color. 1-36

37 Chapter 9. Data Axes parameters group The elements of the Axes parameters group are shown in Fig Fig Axes parameters group The Axes parameters group includes: - X Relative Coordinates switches between relative and absolute data representation along the X-axis. In the former case the minimum values provide the origin: Xmin=0; - Y Relative Coordinates switches between relative and absolute data representation along the Y-axis. In the former case the minimum values provide the origin: Ymin=0; - X Values Orientation defines the rotation of the values on the X-axis. The options are 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees; - Y Values Orientation defines the rotation of the values on the Y-axis. The options are 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees; - X Values Formatted specifies the format of the values on the X-axis; - Y Values Formatted specifies the format of the values on the Y-axis; - X Unit defines the units of the X-axis. The options are: Auto- automatic choice, Original, Angstrom, nm, µm, mm and m; - Y Unit defines the units of the Y-axis. The options are: Auto- automatic choice, Original, Angstrom, nm, µm, mm and m; - Put X Name on axis line defines the location of the X-axis title. There are two options: by the axis to the right from the values and centered below the values; - Put Y Name on axis line defines the location of the Y-axis title. There are two options: by the axis to the right from the values and centered below the values; - Hide X Name shows/hides the title of the X-axis; - Hide Y Name shows/hides the title of the Y-axis. 1-37

38 NOVA. SPM Control Program Advanced parameters group The elements of the Advanced parameters group are shown in Fig. 9-12: Fig Advanced parameters group The Advanced parameters group includes: - Show Grid shows/hides the grid; - Show Small Grid shows/hides the small grid; - Snap Markers to data turns on/off markers snap to data. - Markers View Parameters: - X shows/hides the display of the marker X coordinate; - Y shows/hides the display of the marker Y coordinate. - Pair Markers View Parameters: - DX shows/hides the display of Delta X value (the difference in X coordinates for the pair of markers); - DY shows/hides the display of Delta Y value (the difference in Y coordinates for the pair of markers). - Angle shows/hides the display of the atan(dy/dx) value. - Length shows/hides the display of the length equal to SQR(DX*DX+DY*DY). 1-38

39 Chapter 9. Data Graphs parameters group The elements of the Graph parameters group are shown in Fig. 9-13: Fig Graph parameters group The Graphs parameters group includes: - Color font color; - Width; - Plot Type; - X Axis Name; - X Bias (sec); - X Scale the scale factor for the X-axis; - Y Axis Name; - Y Bias (ºC); - Y Scale the scale factor for the Y-axis. 1-39

40 NOVA. SPM Control Program Software Oscilloscope The Software oscilloscope allows you to observe various signals, with to six signals displayed simultaneously. Toolbar Control panel Oscilloscope screen Fig Software oscilloscope The Software Oscilloscope (see Fig. 9-14) includes the following elements: - Toolbar (Item on page 1-41); - Control Panel (Item on page 1-42); - Oscilloscope Screen (Item on page 1-46). 1-40

41 Chapter 9. Data Toolbar Fig Toolbar The toolbar (see Fig. 9-15) includes the following buttons: Save saves the oscilloscope data (in an ASCII-file); Store Oscil Data attaches the oscilloscope data to the active frame; Save Image saves the image of the oscilloscope screen in a file with *.bmp or *.jpg extension; Print Image prints the image on the oscilloscope screen; Move Visible Area after clicking this button you can use the mouse to move a region displayed on the software oscilloscope without changing the scales; Zoom in is a magnification tool. After clicking this button, click in the center of the region you wish to magnify; Marker this tool displays the X,Y-coordinate of a graph point. After you click this button, click on the point of the curve for which coordinates you wish to be determined; Auto Scale Mode turns on oscilloscope auto scale. When the Auto Scale Mode button is pressed the oscilloscope axes scale is adjusted in real time according to the specified parameters. These scaling parameters are controlled by the following buttons; Fit All Graphs Width to Visible Area when pressed the time scale is automatically adjusted so that the plots of all displayed signals occupy the full width of the oscilloscope screen; Fit All Graphs Height to Visible Area when pressed, the vertical axis scale is automatically adjusted so that the plots of all displayed signals fit into the oscilloscope data screen; Fit All Graphs to Visible Area when pressed, the axes scales are automatically adjusted so that the plots of all displayed signals fit into the oscilloscope data screen; Fit Active Graph Width to Visible Area when pressed, the time scale is automatically adjusted for the plot of the active (highlighted) signal to occupy the full width of the software oscilloscope screen; 1-41

42 NOVA. SPM Control Program Fit Active Graph Height to Visible Area when pressed, the vertical axis scale is automatically adjusted for the plot of the active (highlighted) signal to occupy the whole active area of the software oscilloscope screen; Fit Active Graph Y Zero level to Visible Area when pressed, the vertical axis scale is automatically adjusted for the zero level of the active (highlighted) signal to be withing the displayed values range of the vertical axis, and at the same time, for the active signal plot to occupy the full height of the software oscilloscope active area. ATTENTION! When just one signal is selected for display, only the following buttons are available:. When Auto Scale Mode is not activated and you click one of the buttons described above the scale change will occur just once and will be valid only during the current stage of signal curves plotting. You can can also change the scale by holding <Shift> and the left mouse button while moving the cursor along one of the Software oscilloscope axes Control Panel Fig Control panel The control panel (see Fig. 9-16) has the form of a table that defines the set of the shown signals and the corresponding display parameters: adds one signal to the set of the displayed signals (the maximum number of signals in a set is six); removes the active (highlighted) signal from the set. The Signal column allows you to choose a signal to be displayed. The list of the available signals appears after you click on the name of the signal in the Signal control. 1-42

43 Chapter 9. Data The nomenclature of the signals available from the list is given below. - Height this signal is calculated from the voltage applied to the Z-tube of the piezo scanner. The unit of the Height signal is length (typically, nanometers); - Mag current signal at the output of the lock-in amplifier proportional to the cantilever oscillations amplitude; - Mag*Sin(t) signal of the projection of the cantilever oscillation amplitude; - Mag*Cos(t) signal of the projection of the cantilever oscillation amplitude; - RMS the root-mean-square value of the signal applied to the input of the RMS detector. The signal is similar to Mag but independent of frequency; - Phase calibrated signal of the phase shift between the reference signal applied to the piezo driver of the probe holder and the lock-in amplifier output; - Ext1, Ext2 and Ext3 signals from the external outputs; - HV X high voltage applied to the X-section of the piezo scanner (for the following configurations of the instrument: - with the P8-type controller (models BL222RNTF, BL222TNTF, BL022MTM, BL022MRM, BL022VRM); - with the P7-type controller (models BL022MT, BM022MR), with no scanner equivalent). - This voltage produces the motion of the cantilever or the sample (depending on the scan type) along the Ox-axis; - HV Y high voltage applied to the Y-section of the piezo scanner (for the following configurations of the instrument: - with the P8-type controller (models BL222RNTF, BL222TNTF, BL022MTM, BL022MRM, BL022VRM); - with the P7-type controller (models BL022MT, BM022MR), with no scanner equivalent). - This voltage produces the motion the motion of the cantilever or the sample (depending on the scan type) along the Oy-axis; - HV Z high voltage applied to the Z-section of the piezo scanner (for the following configurations of the instrument: - with the P8-type controller (models BL222RNTF, BL222TNTF, BL022MTM, BL022MRM, BL022VRM); - with the P7-type controller (models BL022MT, BM022MR), with no scanner equivalent). - This voltage produces in the motion of the cantilever or the sample (depending on the scan type) along the vertical axis; 1-43

44 NOVA. SPM Control Program - EqvHV X high voltage applied to the X-section of the piezo scanner (for the following configurations of the instrument: - the P7-type controller (models BL022MT, BM022MR); - scanner equivalent). - It produces the motion of the cantilever or the sample (depending on the scan type) along the Ox axis; - EqvHV Y high voltage applied to the Y-section of the piezo scanner (for the following configurations of the instrument: - the P7-type controller (models BL022MT, BM022MR); - scanner equivalent). - It produces in the motion of the cantilever or the sample (depending on the scan type) along the vertical axis; - Integ Out the feedback output signal; - Ipr low current through the probe and the sample; - Ipr log the signal derived from Ipr low by applying logarithmic transducer; - Laser current signal from the segmented photo diode proportional to the total intensity of the laser beam hitting the photo diode; - LF the current signal proportional to the cantilever torsion deflection; - DFL the current signal proportional to the cantilever vertical deflection; - Tune_Fork current signal at the output of the lock-in amplifier that is proportional to the cantilever oscillations amplitude; - PMT1 (PMT1_Transmission) signal from the PMT1 output proportional to sample transparency (with SNOM1 configuration selected in the Main Parameters panel); - PMT2 (PMT2_Reflection) signal from the PMT2 output proportional to sample reflectance (with SNOM1 configuration selected in the Main Parameters panel); - PMT (PMT1_Transmission) signal from the PMT1 or PMT2 outputs (see above) with SNOM2 configuration selected in the Main Parameters panel; - Focus (PMT2_Reflection) the signal that controls the objective focusing (with SNOM2 configuration selected in the Main Parameters panel); - U tunnel the d.c. component of the voltage applied between the sample and the probe; - X Sensor signal from the X-axis displacements sensor installed on the measuring head scanner (for the configurations of the instrument with the P8-type controller (models BL222TNTF, BL222RNTF, BL022MTM, BL022MRM, BL022VRM)); - Y Sensor signal from the Y-axis displacements sensor installed on the measuring head scanner (for the configurations of the instrument with the P8-type controller (models BL222TNTF, BL222RNTF, BL022MTM, BL022MRM, BL022VRM)); 1-44

45 Chapter 9. Data - Z Sensor signal from the Z-axis displacements sensor installed on the measuring head scanner (for the configurations of the instrument with the P8-type controller (models BL222TNTF, BL222RNTF, BL022MTM, BL022MRM, BL022VRM)); - Height Sensor calibrated signal from the X-axis displacements sensor installed on the measuring head scanner (for the configurations of the instrument with the P8-type controller (models BL222TNTF, BL222RNTF, BL022MTM, BL022MRM, BL022VRM)); - EqvSensorHeight calibrated signal from the X-axis displacements sensor installed on the scanner equivalent (for the configurations of the instrument with the P7-type controller (models BL022MT, BM022MR)); - EqvSensorX signal from the X-axis displacements sensor installed on the scanner equivalent (for the configurations of the instrument with the P7-type controller (models BL022MT, BM022MR)); - EqvSensorY signal from the Y-axis displacements sensor installed on the scanner equivalent (for the configurations of the instrument with the P7-type controller (models BL022MT, BM022MR)); - EqvSensorZ signal from the Z-axis displacements sensor installed on the scanner equivalent (for the configurations of the instrument with the P7-type controller (models BL022MT, BM022MR)); - Cap_Adj the signal intended for the adjustment of the stray-capacitance compensator; - C(V)+Const the output of the remote unit. C(V) capacitance formed by the probe and the sample; Const stray capacitance; - Conductance the signal proportional to the probe-sample conductance; - Surface Potential calibrated output of the feedback loop equal to the sample surface potential during the second scan in the Kelvin Probe mode. - Sensor X SCTP signal from the X-axis displacements sensor installed on the scanner of the scanning stage; - Sensor Y SCTP signal from the Y-axis displacements sensor installed on the scanner of the scanning stage; - Sensor Z SCTP signal from the Z-axis displacements sensor installed on the scanner of the Z-stage. NOTE. The set of signals available in the field Signal from the control panel of the oscilloscope depends on the instrument configuration. The Points column defines the number of points per period in which the selected signal will be measured, the curve being plotted using these points. To modify the Points parameter, click in the table cell and enter the value from the keyboard or, after doubleclicking the cell, use the slider that appears. 1-45

46 NOVA. SPM Control Program The Period column defines the signal measurement period (in seconds). After each period the oscilloscope screen clears and the curve plotting restarts. You can modify the Period parameter in the same way as Points. The Pause column defines the delay before the start of the next period of signals measurements. The Color column defines the color used to plot the selected signal on the oscilloscope screen. To change the setting, double-click the current color and in the menu that appears select the desired color. The next column defines the signal status: signal measurements are in progress; signal measurements are stopped. The Aver column displays the average value of the chosen signal during the oscilloscope operation. The RMS column displays the standard deviation for the chosen signal during the oscilloscope operation Oscilloscope Screen In the oscilloscope screen you can modify the range and the scale. To change the range point to the desired axis (it will be highlighted) and holding the mouse button move the mouse and specify the required range. If you also hold <Shift> you will be able to change the axis scale in the oscilloscope screen. This option is available only when Auto Scale Mode is activated. 1-46

47 Chapter 9. Data 9.2. Two-dimensional Data Toolbar 2D Data plot Fig Two-dimensional Data View Two-dimensional Data View includes the following elements: - Toolbar (Item on page 1-47); - 2D data Plot (Item on page 1-50); - Adjustment of 2D data Plot (Item on page 1-50) Toolbar Fig Toolbar The appearance of the toolbar may vary depending on the tab displaying the 2D-data plot. 1-47

48 NOVA. SPM Control Program The description of the buttons in the toolbar is given below: Save Image opens the dialog box to save the two-dimensional data frame as a file with the *.bmp or *.jpg extension; Print Image prints the current representation of the scan image; Analysis starts Image Analysis tool; Filters opens the menu in which you can select filters for processing the scan image. For a detailed description of using filters refer to Part 2 Image Analysis ; Move Visible Area allows you to move the visible area of the 2D-plot using the mouse; NOTE. By clicking Move Visible Area while holding <Shift> you can scale the 2D-data plot. Zoom In - magnification tool. After clicking Zoom In select an image region using the mouse; Zoom Out scaling down tool. After clicking Zoom Out select an image region using the mouse. measurement tools: - Point Instrument enables you to define the coordinates of a point. After clicking this button position the cursor on a point of the 2D-data plot. The status bar will display (x, y, z) coordinates of the current point; - Length Instrument allows you to measure the distance between points. After clicking this button click on a point of the 2D-data plot to specify its position. The distance will be measured as you move the cursor from this point to the current point. The status bar will display the measured distance; - with the Angle Instrument you can measure angles on the 2D-data plot. After clicking this button click on a point of the 2D-data plot. Then, with the second click specify the vertex. The angle will be measured as you move the cursor from these points to the current point. The status bar will display the measured angle. 1-48

49 Chapter 9. Data Z Coloration opens the menu in which you can adjust the contrast of the 2Ddata frame: Fig D-data Frame Contrast menu the lower limit of the color-map scale; the upper limit of the color-map scale; Auto Coloration Limits Mode automatically selects the color-map scale limits; Change Palette loads a palette different from the current one (a file with the *.pal extension); Smooth Switcher toggles image smoothing; Toggle Axis displays the coordinate axes; 2D/3D Properties opens Settings Dialog. In SettingsDialog you can customize the interface of the 2D data View (in Item on page 1-50). 3D/2D Image Representation toggles between 2D- and 3D-data Views. When pressed, additional controls appear in the toolbar (see Fig. 9-20): Fig With 3D View Modes you can select the style of the 3D scan image representation: - Fast the scan image is displayed as a 3D-surface with the original color retained; - Wire as grid of splines; - Light the scan image is displayed as a 3D-surface with possibility to modify lighting and optical properties of the surface. 1-49

50 NOVA. SPM Control Program use 3D View Point Adjustment to change the viewport of the 3D scan image with the mouse; 3D Pie Mode allows you to view the scan image as a surface with it volume filled to zero level D data Plot The 2D data plot contains a two-dimensional data array (scan image, etc) Adjustment of 2D data Plot When you click in the toolbar of the 2D data display the SettingsDialog box appears (Fig. 9-21). The SettingsDialog box is intended for adjusting the parameters of the 2D data View interface. Fig Settings Dialog box 1-50

51 Chapter 9. Data The toolbar of the SettingsDialog box includes the following buttons: Load Settings opens the dialog box to load the settings from a file with a *.cfg extension; NOTE. The Nova root directory contains several default cfg-files. For example, Print.cfg stores settings of the 2D-Data View optimized for preparing frames for presentation and printing. Save Settings opens the dialog box to save the current settings as a separate file with *.cfg extension; Black&White sets black-and-white interface mode; Default color settings sets the default color palette. The lower part of the Settings Dialog box includes the following buttons: saves the parameters as default; quits without saving the parameters. The parameters available from the SettingsDialog box are combined into the following groups (Fig. 9-22): - Fonts and Colors; - Axes; - Active frame; - Z-Slider; - 3D Mode. Fig Main groups of parameters 1-51

52 NOVA. SPM Control Program Fonts and Colors group The parameters of the Fonts and Colors group are shown in Fig. 9-23: Fig Fonts and Colors group of parameters Fig Title Font Fig Axes Name Font Fig Axes Values Font The Fonts and Colors group includes the following parameters: - Title Font consisting of (Fig. 9-24): - Name font name; - Size font size; - Color font color; - Style font style. - Axes Name Font consisting of ( Fig. 9-25): - Name font name; - Size font size; - Color font color; - Style font style. - Axes Values Font consisting of (Fig. 9-26): - Name font name; - Size font size; - Color font color; - Style font style. - Axes Border Color. - Background Color. 1-52

53 Chapter 9. Data Axes group The parameters of the Axes group are shown in Fig. 9-27: Fig Axes group of parameters The Axes group includes the following parameters: - XY Relative Coordinates switches between relative and absolute data representation along the X, Y-axes. In relative representation the origin is set at the minimum value: Xmin=0 and Ymin=0; - Z Relative Coordinates switches between relative and absolute data representation along the Z-axis. In relative representation the origin is set at the minimum value: Zmin=0; - X Values Orientation defines the rotation of the values on the X-axis. The options are 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees; - Y Values Orientation defines the rotation of the values on the Y-axis. The options are 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees; - Z Values Orientation defines the rotation of the Z-axis. The options are 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees; - XY Values Formatted formats the values on the X- and Y-axes; - Z Values Formatted formats the values on the Z-axis; - XY Unit defines the units of the X- and Y-axes. The options are: Auto- automatic choice, Original, Angstrom, nm, µm, mm, m; - Z Unit defines the units of the Z-axis. The options are: Auto- automatic choice, Original, Angstrom, nm, µm, mm, m; - Put XY Names on axis line defines the location of the X,Y-axis titles. There are two options: next to the axis to the right from the values and centered below the values in front of them; 1-53

54 NOVA. SPM Control Program - Put Y Name on axis line defines the location of the Z-axis title. There are two options: next to the axis to the right from the values and centered below the values; - Hide XY Names shows/hides the titles of X- and Y-axes; - Hide X Name shows/hides the title of the Z-axis; - Hide Title shows/hides the title; - Palette Bar Width adjusts the width of the palette bar; - Palette Bar Gap adjusts the gap to the palette bar; - Palette Bar Alignment selection of the palette bar alignment. The are three options: Left, Center, Right. Active Frame group The parameters of the Active frame group are shown in Fig. 9-28: Fig Active frame group of parameters The Active frame group includes the following parameters: - X Bias (Angstrom) data bias along the X-axis; - Y Bias (Angstrom) data bias along the Y-axis; - X Scale the scale factor for the X-axis; - Y Scale the scale factor for the Y-axis. Z-Slider group The Z-Slider group includes parameters which allow you to adjust contrast ( Coloration). The parameters of the Z Slider group are shown in Fig. 9-29: Fig Z-Slider group of parameters 1-54

55 Chapter 9. Data The Z Slider group includes the following parameters: - Z-Slider visible shows/hides the sliders; - Z-Marker visible toggles markers; - Min Z-Slider Back color defines the background color of the lower slider; - Min Z-Slider Line color defines the line color for the lower slider; - Min Z-Slider Text color defines the text color for the lower slider; - Max Z-Slider Back color defines the background color of the upper slider; - Max Z-Slider Line color defines the line color for the upper slider; - Max Z-Slider Text color defines the text color for the upper slider. 3D Mode group The 3D Mode group includes the parameters required to adjust the lighting source when using the 3D mode. The parameters of the 3D Mode group are shown in Fig. 9-30: Fig D Mode group of parameters The 3D Mode group includes the following parameters: - Light power adjusts the light power of the source; - Glossiness controls glossiness factor; - Soften adjusts the smear feature. 1-55

56 NOVA. SPM Control Program D Data Data collected with 3D scanning over X, Y, and Z directions in the Spectra tab can then be displayed as a 3D image (Fig. 9-31). 3D Image Viewing Panel contains the Toolbar and the 3D Data Viewing Area. Toolbar 3D Data Viewing Area Fig Displaying 3D data as a 3D image Toolbar Fig Toolbar of the 3D Image Viewing Panel Table 9-1. Controls of the 3D Image Viewing Panel Attaches the current frame as a new frame to the active file. Store 3D Data Saves the data of the active frame as an ASCII text file. Export 3D Data 1-56

57 Chapter 9. Data Save 3D Image Print 3D Image Save Section Analysis 3D Volume 2D Crossection Extended Focus Color Mapping Density Mapping Show Crossection in 3D Volume Mode AntiAlias Perspective Perpendicular View Toggle Axis Saves the active frame as a separate graphics file of extension *.bmp or *.jpg. Prints the image of the current frame. Appends the selected section to the active file as a 2D frame. Launches the software module Image Analysis dedicated to processing and analysis of images. Sets the mode of 3D display of the frame image. Sets the mode of 2D cross-section display of the frame image. Location of the cross-section is defined in the Pos input field. Enables the option of setting the width of the selected crosssection. Limits of the cross-section are defined in the fields, with the location value in the Pos input field being forced to take the average value. Turns on/off colorization of the image. Modifies optical density of the image pixels. Displays the 3D image of the object with a part removed by a planar section. Location of the section is defined in the Pos input field. Turns on/off smoothing of the image features. Turns on/off perspective imaging. Forces the image cross-section to be perpendicular to the user. Displays the coordinate axes. Automatically adjusts limits of the contrast scale. Full Palette Section 1-57

58 NOVA. SPM Control Program Change Palette 3D Properties Loads a palette distinct from the active one from the file of extension *.pal. Opens the Settings Dialog window. In this window, interface parameters of the 3D Image Viewing Panel are defined. Defines location of the section plane that separates the removed part of the object. Defines the cross-section width. The input fields Min и Max define limits of the cross-section. Defines the cross-section plane. Sets the image transparency. Defines the minimum and maximum limits of the Alpha-channel. Defines the minimum and maximum limits in the scale of the working color scheme D Data Viewing Area 3D Data Viewing Area displays a 3D image of a frame containing 3D data. For viewing convenience, the 3D image can be rotated, zoomed or rescaled. The image rotates with the use of the mouse. To this purpose, place the mouse pointer inside the 3D Data Viewing Area and press the left mouse button. With the button pressed, move the mouse until the image takes the desired orientation. To zoom in the image, press the <Shift> key and move the mouse with the left mouse button pressed upwards for enlarging the image or downwards for its contraction. To rescale a particular axis, press the <Alt> key and move the mouse with the left mouse button pressed in vertical direction for rescaling in the Z direction or in horizontal direction for rescaling in the horizontal directions X and Y. 1-58

59 Chapter 9. Data Adjusting the 3D Data Viewing Area Adjusting of the 3D Data Viewing Area is available in the Settings Dialog window (Fig. 9-33) that is accessible through the button in the Toolbar. Fig Settings Dialog window Table 9-2. Controls of the Toolbar in the Settings Dialog window Load Settings Save Settings Black&White Opens a dialog for loading a configuration file of extension *.cfg. Opens a dialog for saving the current settings in a configuration file of extension *.cfg. Enables the black and white interface of the viewing area. Enables the default color palette. Default color settings 1-59

60 NOVA. SPM Control Program Parameters defined in the Setting Dialog window are divided to two groups, Fonts parameters and Colors parameters. Fonts parameters Group Axes Name Font subgroup font parameters of the axes titles; contains: - Name type family; - Size type size; - Color color; - Style type face. Axes Values Font subgroup font parameters of the axes numerical labels; contains: - Name type family; - Size type size; - Color color; - Style type face. Colors parameters Group Background Color background color; Axes Line Color axes lines color; Cube Line Color edges color of the outline cube. 1-60

61 Chapter 9. Data 9.4. CCD Full Spectrum Data 3D data collected by scanning with recording the CCD full spectrum in the Spectra tab can then be displayed as a 2D map of the full spectrum (intensity of a point in the map is proportional to the spectral maximum at this point) supplemented with a 1D spectrum view of a particular selected point (Fig. 9-34). Full Spectrum Map Selected Spectrum Range Settings Panel Spectrum Viewing Panel Fig Displaying 3D data collected by scanning with recording the CCD full spectrum Operation with 3D data on a full spectrum collected at every scan point in the viewer panel (Fig. 9-34) is explained in sec on p

62 NOVA. SPM Control Program 9.5. Text Data Toolbar Text input and view box Fig Text panel The text panel contains the Text Input and View box and the Toolbar. The description of the buttons in the toolbar is given below: New creates a new text frame; Store Data saves the data in the active file (in the active file a text frame will be created and the data from the text input box will be copied to it); Export saves the frame in ASCII format; Save Text as Image opens the dialog box to save the entered text as a file with the *.bmp or *.jpg extension; Print Text prints the text frame; Find finds the occurrences of the given text in the text frame. 1-62

63 Chapter 10. Data Tab 10. Data Tab Data Tab is opened by pressing key on Main operations panel. Data Tab is used to work with MTD format files. MTD format file contains a set of frames that represent measurements. Control Panel File content display panel Frame display and editing panel Fig Data Tab Toolbar is in the upper part of Data Tab. Working area is divided into two parts: file content display area is in the left part, frame display and editing area in the right part. Frame display and editing area shows an active frame the frame highlighted in the display area in the Tab left part. Data Tab (Fig. 10-1) contains the following items: - Control Panel (item 10.1, page 1-64); - File Review Panel (item 10.2, page 1-67); - Frame Review and Editing Panel (item 10.3, page 1-69). 1-63

64 NOVA. SPM Control Program Control Panel Fig Data Tab Control Panel Creates a new file of MDT format. Table Control panel options New File Open Save Import File Export File Opens file in MDT format (MDT file). Pressing the arrow located to the left from the key will display a list of the last ten files recently opened in the program. Saves current file. Imports different data types into MDT format. Please, see data import procedure in Application (see i. Importing Data on page 1-233). Exports MDT format data into other formats. Please, see data export procedure in Application (see i. Exporting Data on page 1-239). Deletes all frames from the file. Clear Delete Frame Add Text Frame Add Log Book Frame Deletes an active frame from the file. Pressing <Ctrl+Delete> key combination on the keyboard will delete the active frame from the file. Adds text frame before highlighted frame. Opens accounting log where you may specify information about the goal of measurements, used sample etc. Data are added as a separate frame before highlighted frame. Shows folder tree. Show/Hide File Tree View 1-64

65 Chapter 10. Data Tab Shows file contents review panel. Choose the Frame List View Style Show/Hide Preview Show/Hide Frame Info New Folder Shows frame review and editing panel. Shows frame comments panel. Entered comments are displayed in Comment column if frame list is shown as a table. Creates a new folder in the folder tree. List of file format selection displayed in the folder tree. List of selection of frame types displayed on the file contents display panel. The list contains the following options: All Frames Frames of all types; Scan Frames of scanned images; Spectroscopy Spectroscopy frames; Text Text frames; Old MDA Old MDA frames; MDA MDA frames; Palette Palette frames. Goes to the first frame in the file.. Go to the first frame Go to the last frame Go to the previous fra me Goes to the last frame in the file. Goes to the previous frame. Goes to the next frame. Go to the next frame 1-65

66 NOVA. SPM Control Program Run all the frames from the current Record Calculator Settings Runs frame paging from the current frame to the last frame of the current file. Records frame view sequence as an AVI-file. When pressing Record key you will see a dialog box to enter the name of recorded AVI file. Please see description of AVI file creation and review in Application (see i. Creating and Viewing AVI files on page 1-255). Review AVI files with the Video Tab embedded player of Nova control program or with Windows multimedia applications. Opens embedded calculator. Please see calculator description in Application (see i. Calculator on page 1-227). Opens Options dialog box (Fig. 10-3) to enter parameters of frame paging and to overview file types accepted by the program. Closes current data file. Close Fig Options Dialog box Select Options dialog box, Delays Tab to define Run Frames Delay setting the time period (in milliseconds) of the frame displaying on the screen. File Format Plugins Tab includes information about types of files to be reviewed in the program. 1-66

67 Chapter 10. Data Tab File Review Panel By default File Review Panel is displayed in the left part of Data Tab (see Fig. 10-1). The Panel may be displayed/hidden with the control panel key of Data Tab. Pressing the arrow to the right from the key will display the list of frame display mode selection. This list includes the following options: - Icons Every frame is displayed as a reduced copy with written frame name. - Small icons Every frame is displayed as an icon with written frame name. - List Frame names are displayed as a list. - Report Frame list is displayed as a table with the following columns: - Name Frame name - Info Information about every frame - Created Frame creation date - Comment Notes to the frame. To receive information about parameters of the frame received, please, right click the frame icon and select Properties option in appeared shortcut menu. Frame Info dialog box (please, see Fig. 10-4) will appear. Dialog box content depends on the program configuration and selected frame type. 1-67

68 NOVA. SPM Control Program Fig Frame Info Dialog box The following keys are in the bottom of Frame Info dialog box: Copies the Frame Info window content in MS Windows clipboard. Defines the values of received frame settings as current scanning settings. Closes Frame Info dialog box. 1-68

69 Chapter 10. Data Tab Frame Review and Editing Panel In the right part of Data Tab you will see Frame Review and Editing Panel (Fig. 10-1). Appearance of this panel and a particular set of control panel tools depend on the type of the reviewed file. Please, see description of toolbar keys for 1D- and 2D-data in respective points of Section 9 Data on page Besides, toolbar has two additional keys to process received data using the program module of image processing: Analysis Filters Runs the program module of image processing. Please, see detailed description of image processing module operation in Part 2 of this manual. Opens Filters dialog box with a set of filters and transformations to process scanned images. Using the dialog box commands you can make separate operations to process images in Nova program without the need to jump to the image processing module. Filers act similar to filters of Image processing module. Fig Filters Dialog box If the button on the Andor CCD tab or on the Renishaw CCD tab is pressed in before scanning starts, the full spectrum is recorded at every scan point. This allows for analyzing the investigated sample in the Frame Review and Editing Panel (Fig. 10-6) without additional scans to supply information if new spectral regions were selected or if the set of assigned functions changed. 1-69

70 NOVA. SPM Control Program Full spectrum map Selected spectral region parameters panels Spectrum view panel Toolbar Fig Frame Review and Editing Panel with a full spectrum A frame of a full spectrum is associated with an Panel. icon in the File Content Viewing Toolbar Controls of the Toolbar (Fig. 10-7) serve for performing a variety of operations with the recorded spectrum as well as for applying the predefined functions in the course of scanning. Fig Toolbar Table Controls of the Toolbar Selects measurements units of the spectrum viewing panel: Pixels pixels; Wave Length (nm) nanometers in viewing a spectrum; Raman Shift (1/cm) inverse centimeters in viewing a spectrum. The selection list is available only with the CCD matrix calibration file loaded. Makes an image of the scanned surface with application of the functions assigned to the selected spectral region. 1-70

71 Chapter 10. Data Tab Other buttons in the Toolbar are standard. Refer to chapter 9 Data on page 1-31 for explanations. Spectrum View Panel The Spectrum viewing panel (Fig. 10-8) displays the spectrum of the CCD matrix collected signal at a particular point of the scan image. Fig Spectrum view panel Full spectrum map If full spectra are collected at every point of scanning, the resulting data are viewed in the Full spectrum map (Fig. 10-9). If necessary, a desired point of the scanned image can be taken for viewing spectrum. To select a point for viewing spectrum, press the button and click at the desired point. The spectrum at the selected point is displayed in the Spectrum viewing panel beneath the Map. Fig Full spectrum map 1-71

72 NOVA. SPM Control Program The toolbar of the Full spectrum map contains a standard button set that is described at length in i D Scanning Data View Panel on page Selected spectral region parameters panels Regions Table After a spectrum region is selected in the Data View panel its parameters are appended to the Regions table (Fig ). If necessary, parameters of the selected regions as well as the user defined functions can be saved in a file of *.rg extension. Fig Regions table The Regions table contains the following information in its columns on the selected spectral regions: Ordinal number of selected spectral region. Units Measurement units. Left, Right Minimum and maximum limits of a selected spectral region. Sub1, Sub2 Backgrounds to subtract in the selected spectral region. The top of the Regions table contains a toolbar for file operations with information on selected spectral regions: Load Save Delete Loads a set of spectral regions from a file of *.rg extension. Saves selected spectral regions in a file of *.rg extension. Clears the table and removes the selected regions from the Data View Panel. 1-72

73 Chapter 10. Data Tab Functions Panel The Functions panel (Fig ) contains a list of functions that can be assigned to a particular selected spectral region of the Regions table. Fig Functions panel Table List of available functions Maximum Value Maximum Position Average Value Mass Centre Value Mass Centre Position Skewness Value FWHM Subtract Maximum value Position of the maximum in the given coordinates Average value Value at the mass center Position of the mass center in the given coordinates Characteristics of asymmetry Full width at half maximum Option to subtract background from the spectrum Functions Table The list of the assigned functions is given in the Functions table (Fig ). If necessary, parameters of the selected regions as well as the user assigned functions can be saved in a file of *.rg extension. Fig Functions list panel 1-73

74 NOVA. SPM Control Program The table contains the following information on all user calculated characteristics of the selected spectral regions: Ordinal number of a function. Region Sub Function FuncUnits Title Ordinal number of selected spectral regions. Label on subtracting of the background. Name of an assigned function. Measurement units. Description. The top of the Functions table contains a toolbar for file operations with information on selected spectral regions: Load Save Delete Loads a set of spectral regions from a file of *.rg extension. Saves selected spectral regions in a file of *.rg extension. Clears the table and removes the selected regions in the Spectrum view panel. 1-74

75 Chapter 11. Aiming Tab 11. Aiming Tab Aiming Tab is used to adjust optical system of cantilever bend recording. The Tab is opened with key on main operations panel. Fig Aiming Tab NOTE. Aiming Tab is dublicated in the Additional operations area to provide convenient work with the device (for example, to control photodiode data during approach or scanning). The Tab left part has an indicator of laser spot position in relation to the photodiode section. Photodiode signal current values are displayed to the right from the indicator. Switches on recording system laser. Table Aiming Tab Options DFL LF Laser Displays values of DFL, LF and Laser signals as a bar graph (Please, see Fig. 11-2). Displays values of DFL, LF and Laser signals with the accuracy of up to one (the key is not pressed) or two (the key is pressed) decimal points. Difference signal between the upper and the lower parts of photodiode. DFL signal is proportional to the cantilever bent along the normal line. Difference signal between the left and the right parts of photodiode. LF signal is proportional to the torsional cantilever bent. Sum signal that comes from all four photodiode sections. Laser signal is proportional to intensity of laser emission coming to photodiode and 1-75

76 NOVA. SPM Control Program reflected from cantilever. Fig Aiming Tab view with bar graph of DFL, LF and Laser signal values 1-76

77 Chapter 12. Resonance Tab 12. Resonance Tab Resonance Tab (Fig. 12-1) is used in modulation modes to get frequency dependence of signals and in particular to find probe resonance frequencies. To open the Tab press key on the main operations panel. Control panel Frequency dependency plotting panel Fig Resonance Tab Modulation techniques are measurement modes where varying voltage is used to swing cantilever, it is supplied to scanner sections or applied between the probe and the sample. Panel of frequency dependency plotting (Fig. 12-1) includes standard toolbar for 1D data the keys of which are described in i Toolbar on page

78 NOVA. SPM Control Program The Tab control panel may be divided into the following several parts: - Panel of Frequency Dependency Settings Generation (i. 12.1, page 1-78); - Panel of Generator (i.12.2, page 1-82); - Panel of Detector Settings (i. 12.3, page 1-82) Panel of Frequency Dependency Settings Generation Fig Panel of frequency dependency settings generation Table Options of frequency dependency settings generation panel From To Generator output Response signal Auto peak find Fields to enter borders of frequency band to generate the signal frequency dependency. NOTE. The upper and lower limits of frequency may also be defined with markers on dependency plot. A list to select the element to which the voltage from generator is supplied. NOTE. A set of elements to supply the voltage to depends on the main settings of controller configuration selected on the panel. A list to select signal to generate frequency dependency. NOTE. A set of signals in the list depends on the controller configuration. The detector type is automatically changed on the detector settings panel depending on the selected signal. Function of automatic resonance frequency detection. If the checkbox is selected the generator frequency will be automatically defined equal to the cantilever resonance frequency after running of the frequency dependency generation. This option is used in semicontact technique of the cantilever resonance frequency detection. But sometimes, for example, during operation using Force Modulation mode or semicontact technique in liquid it is recommended to manually define generator frequency. 1-78

79 Chapter 12. Resonance Tab Point N The number of points to be used for frequency characteristics generation. Average The number of measurements made in every of N points of measured signal frequency range. Runs frequency characteristic generation. In Generator Output list a set of elements to which voltage from generator is supplied depends on the defined controller configuration. Maximum set of elements will be accessible in the Generator Output selection list in case of user configuration (Custom) specified: Probe Voltage is supplied to the probe holder piezodriver. It is used in modulation modes where mechanical cantilever swing is required. Bias V X Y Z Ex6 Off Voltage is supplied to summing unit where constant voltage Bias V is added to it. After summation the voltage Vdc Vac sin( t 0 ) is applied between the probe and the sample. Voltage is supplied to the scanner X section. Voltage is supplied to the scanner Y section. Voltage is supplied to the scanner Z section. Voltage is supplied to external output. Generator is switched off. Signal set in Response Signal list depends on the defined controller configuration. The following signals will be accessible in Response Signal list if user configuration (Custom) is selected: Mag Phase Mag*Sin The signal from synchronous detector output proportional to the amplitude of synchronous detector input signal. For semicontact technique Mag signal is proportional to cantilever vibration amplitude. The signal from phase detector output; calibrated signal of phase shift between reference and input signals of phase detector. This phase shift is equal to the sum of generator phase shift in relation to the reference signal and detected signal in relation to the output generator signal (exciting signal) The signal proportioned to variable signal amplitude on modulation frequency multiplied by the sine of phase shift of the synchronous detector input signal in relation to reference signal. This signal comes from the synchronous detector output. 1-79

80 NOVA. SPM Control Program Mag*Cos RMS Ext1, Ext2 The signal proportioned to variable signal amplitude on modulation frequency multiplied by the cosine of phase shift of the synchronous detector input signal in relation to reference signal. This signal comes from the synchronous detector output. The signal from RMS-detector output proportioned to the amplitude of the input RMS-detector signal measured using root-mean-square deviation method. Signals from external inputs. If to select controller configuration for the group of SNOM modes (SNOM1, SNOM2) on the main parameters panel the only accessible signal in the Response Signal list will be Tune Fork the signal from the synchronous detector output proportioned to the probe vibration amplitude. Using markers to define piezodriver working frequency Resonance frequency will be searched manually if not to select Auto peak find checkbox. After generation of frequency dependency ( key) you may correct selected frequency range using markers appeared on the plot (Fig. 12-3). Fig Defining of frequency dependency generation range using markers Beginning range frequency (From field) is colored with blue marker, ending frequency (To field) with green marker. To change the frequency move mouse cursor to vertical line, cursor will toggle into double arrow:. While left clicking move marker to the 1-80

81 Chapter 12. Resonance Tab required location. The value equal to the current marker location will be displayed in the respective field (From or To). After key is pressed frequency dependency will be generated in selected range. Below is shown how to define piezodriver working frequency (Frequency setting) manually: 1. In Frequency field on Generator panel enter the value that is the most adjacent to the selected peak maximum. Marker will appear on the plot (Please, see Fig. 12-4). 2. Moving the marker (with the left mouse key pressed) define such value of the frequency to which maximum signal value for this peak corresponds. Frequency field will display the value that is equal to the current marker position. Fig Definition of the piezodriver working frequency 1-81

82 NOVA. SPM Control Program Panel of Generator Settings Depending on solved tasks variable voltage is supplied from generator to the probe piezodriver, scanner, probe device or sample. Settings of the output generator signal are adjusted on Generator panel (Fig. 12-5). Fig Generator Settings Panel Table Generator Settings panel options Frequency Amplitude Phase Frequency of generator output signal. Amplitude of output generator signal. Amplitude variation range is 0 1 V. multiplier that allows 10 times increase or decrease of output voltage from generator (it becomes accessible if generator output voltage is supplied to piezodriver of probe holder). For this click on the arrow and select required ratio in the appeared list. Phase shift between generator output signal and reference signal Panel of Detector Settings Any of the following signals can be supplied to the input of any detector (see block scheme on page 1-144): DFL, LF signals from photodiode, Ipr current signal from the probe, Ex1 signal from external input. Output signal depends on detector type. Detector panel will display controls of one of the following detectors depending on the signal selected to generate frequency dependency: - Synchronous detector (Page 1-83); - Phase detector (Page 1-84); - RMS detector (Page 1-84). 1-82

83 Chapter 12. Resonance Tab Synchronous detector Synchronous detector generates three electric signals at the output: Mag, Mag*sin, Mag*cos, the value of which is described above in the section 12.1 Panel of Frequency Dependency Settings Generation on page Panel of synchronous detector settings has the following view: Fig Panel of synchronous detector settings NOTE. Lock-in panel view depends on the type of used controller. P8 controllers (models BL222RNTF, BL222NNTF, BL022MTM, BL022VRM) have no list of the detected signal frequency range selection (field Pass Band). To get information about controller types, select Settings Device Info option in the main menu, controller type will be displayed in Electronics line. Table Options of synchronous detector settings panel Low pass LF filter cutoff frequency. This filter is used to reduce high frequency noise. The signals with the modulation frequency that exceeds the value defined in the Low Pass field will be cut off. ATTENTION! Even useful signal may be cut off if cutoff frequency has low value. Gain Gain of synchronous detector that is changed within the range Gain should be adjusted when using, for example, semicontact technique to get the required level of synchronous detector output signal. Harm Input Pass Band Number of harmonics on which the signal is detected. Synchronous detector allows working with the first nine harmonics of input signal. Most of the methods use detection on the first harmonics. Excluded are capacitance modes where the second or the third harmonics are used. The signal that is supplied to the input of synchronous detector. Multiplier that defines preamplification ratio of the signal supplied to the synchronous detector input. List of detected signal frequency band selection. 1-83

84 NOVA. SPM Control Program Phase detector Phase detector generates output Phase signal the change of which is proportional to the change of phase shift between reference signal and input signal of synchronous detector. This phase shift is the sum of generator phase shift in relation to the reference signal and detected signal in relation to the generator output signal (exciting signal). The panel of phase detector settings has the following view. Fig Panel of phase detector settings NOTE. The view of Phase panel depends on the type of used controller. P8 controllers (models BL222RNTF, BL222NNTF, BL022MTM, BL022VRM) have no list of the detected signal frequency range selection (field Pass Band). To get information about controller types, select option Settings Device Info in the main menu, controller type will be displayed in Electronics line. Table Options of the phase detector parameters panel Input Pass Band The signal supplied to the phase detector input. Multiplier that defines preamplification ratio of the signal supplied to the phase detector input. List of detected signal frequency band selection. R MS detector Root-mean-square detector (RMS-detector) generates RMS signal at the input proportional to the amplitude of the input signal measured with RMS method. Panel of RMS detector settings has the following view. Fig Panel of RMS detector settings 1-84

85 Chapter 12. Resonance Tab NOTE. RMS panel view depends on the type of used controller. P8 controllers (models BL222RNTF, BL222NNTF, BL022MTM, BL022VRM) have no list of the detected signal frequency range selection (field Pass Band). To get information about controller types, select Settings Device Info option in the main menu, controller type will be displayed in Electronics line. Table Options of RMS detector parameters panel Low Pass Input Pass Band Cut-off frequency of LF filter. The signals with the modulation frequency that exceeds the value defined in Low Pass list will be cut off ATTENTION! Even useful signal may be cut off if cutoff frequency has low value. The signal that is supplied to the input of RMS-detector. Multiplier that defines preamplification ratio of the signal supplied to the RMS detector input. List of detected signal frequency band selection. 1-85

86 NOVA. SPM Control Program 13. Approach Tab Approach Tab (Fig. 13-1) is used to control sample approach to the probe using step engines. To open the Tab click key on the panel of main operations. Stepper motor control panel Log Software Oscilloscope Fig Approach Tab Software oscilloscope displays by default the signal selected as an input signal of feedback circuit. Software oscilloscope is described in i Software Oscilloscope on page The following stepper motors may be controlled using control panel depending on the device configuration: - stepper motor of the device basic unit approach system; - stepper motor of mechanized support of measuring head. 1-86

87 Chapter 13. Approach Tab Stepper motor is selected during Nova program configuration selection. The panel view is not changed during this procedure. Table Options of stepper motor control panel Landing Stop Landing Auto SetPoint Backward Forward Runs automatic sample approach to the probe. Approach process is displayed in the log. (Please, see Fig. 13-1). Approach stops when registered signal achieves Set Point level. Stops stepper motor. Automatically defines the value of Set Point setting if Mag or DFL is selected as an input signal. Set Point value is calculated as follows: - If Mag is selected as the input signal Set Point is defined equal to the half of the Mag signal initial value: Set Point=Mag/2; - If DFL is selected as the input signal Set Point is defined equal to 2 na more than DFL signal initial level: Set Point=DFL+2. Step engine moves the sample from the probe one step back. Step engine moves the sample to the distance indicated in Moving field. It is recommended to define this distance within the range mm. Moving The distance the probe will be diverted from the sample during pressing key. Step engine approaches the sample one step to the probe. Step engine approaches the sample to the probe at the distance defined in Moving field. ATTENTION! key is used only when the sample is diverted from the probe to the more distance than that indicated in Moving field. Way The distance of probe/sample vertical movement relating to the initial position. Counter is zeroed with double clicking. Opens Landing Settings dialog box (Fig. 13-3) to define 1-87

88 NOVA. SPM Control Program approach settings. For operation with thermo-basements (models SCC09NTF, SCC08NTF) thermo-approach panel will appear after step engine switches thermo-controller on control panel. (Fig. 13-2). Fig Thermo-approach panel For thermo-approach sample approach to the probe differs from the standard procedure and consists of cycling operations. One approach cycle includes the following: 1. Feedback switches on and scanner piezotube fully extends in the probe direction. 2. If there is no contact between the probe and the sample, feedback breaks, piezo tube fully retracts, step engine shifts the sample holder in the probe direction to the defined distance. Then the procedure is repeated. If the probe and the sample contact step engine moves several steps back. Mechanical connection of the beam with the sample holder will unclose and the holder will be at the defined height because of frictional force. Switching the thermo approach mode on. Table Thermo-approach panel options FB On FB Off Steps The time during which the feedback circuit remains closed. The time during which the feedback circuit remains opened. Quantity of step engine steps in one approach cycle. 1-88

89 Chapter 13. Approach Tab Landing Settings dialog box Fig Landing Settings dialog box Table The Landing Settings dialog box options Forward Backward BackZ RateZ StartZ StopZ The speed (in arbitrary nonlinear units) with which the stepper motor starts approaching the sample after you click or. The typical value for this parameter is units. The speed (in arbitrary nonlinear units) with which the stepper motor starts withdrawing the sample after you click. The typical value for this parameter is units. The extension (in per cent) of the piezo scanner Z section upon reaching which the stepper motor starts rotating in the reverse direction. The typical value for this parameter is 32 38%. The extension (in per cent) of the piezo scanner section upon reaching which the stepper motor reduces its speed to the minimum value(minrate). The typical value of RateZ is 77 83%. for StartRate and MinRate the typical values are 20 and 10 units, respectively. The extension (in per cent) of the piezo scanner section This parameter shall be less than BackZ. The extension (in per cent) of the piezo scanner section, upon reaching which the stepper motor stops its reverse rotation. The or 1-89

90 NOVA. SPM Control Program StartRate typical value for this parameter is 42 47%. Initial (minimum) and maximum speeds of the reverse motion. MaxRate DeltaZ BackSteps Fine Piezo scanner section extension per one step (in some arbitrary units). The number of the stepper motor reverse steps. When selected the approach speed depends on the rate of the feedback signal change. If necessary, the approach procedure slows down. Automatically sets default values in the stepper motor control dialog box. loads settings from the file. Saves the modified parameters in the file of settings. Prompts to confirm the parameter modification and then quits the stepper motor control dialog box. Quits the stepper motor control dialog box without saving the modifications. NOTE. The approach procedure finishes when one of the following conditions fulfill: - during the stepper motor rotation in the reverse direction the piezo scanner section extension changes less then DeltaZ per each step (in some arbitrary units); - after the stepper motor has done the number of steps in the reverse direction that you specified in the BackSteps box; - the piezo scanner section extension has reached the value of Stop Z. 1-90

91 Chapter 14. Scan Tab 14. Scan Tab Scan Tab (Fig. 14-1) is used to adjust the settings of scanning and control of the sample scanning process. To open the Tab click button on the main operations panel. Scanning control panel 1D Scanning Data View panel 2D Scanning Data View panel Fig Scan Tab Scanning is made as follows. Scanner makes bitmapped movement of the probe in relation to the sample (Fig. 14-2). Measured signals are digitalized in raster centers. Direction of lines along which scanner is moving is called quick scanning direction. The direction perpendicular to the above mentioned direction is called slow scanning direction. Quick scanning direction data acquired during both direct and back pass are recorded in received image. Fig Probe movement during data collection 1-91

92 NOVA. SPM Control Program Scanning Control Panel Fig Scanning control panel Table Options of scanning control panel Run Scanning Runs scanning procedure. During scanning the panel changes its view. Some keys hide, new ones appear: Stops scanning. Pressing <Esc> key also stops scanning. Pause in scanning. If the key is pressed, scanning along the slow scanning aces will stop, the probe will continue to scan the current line. To continue scanning press Pause key once more. Resumes scanning from the first line. During scanning menus of scanning speed are active on the control panel allowing to change scanning speed without stopping as well as menus of tilt subtraction switch on/off. You can view current session scanned images in Data Tab. Frame numbering corresponds with the order of their collection. 1-92

93 Chapter 14. Scan Tab Cyclic Scanning Cycles scanning process. If this key is pressed selected area will be scanned repeatedly until the user stops the process. If the key is pressed for the second time Cyclic scanning will be finished upon completion of the current scanning cycle. Mode Measurement mode selection. This list content depends on the controller configuration specified on the panel of main settings. Direction Defines initial point location and scanning direction. Selects setting to define scanning speed. Scan Time Total time of the sample scanning (min); Time/Point Time of measurement in every point of the sample (µs); Frequency Frequency of the probe movement along the quick scanning axis (Hz). Velocity The probe movement velocity during scanning (micron/s). When one of the setting changes the other ones are automatically recalculated. Subtract Defines the type of tilt subtraction during scanning: None 1st Order Curve 2nd Order Curve 3nd Order Curve 4th Order Curve Plane 2nd Surface subtraction switched off. Line-by-line subtraction of the first order approximating curve. Line-by-line subtraction of the second order approximating curve. Line-by-line subtraction of the third order approximating curve. Line-by-line subtraction of the fourth order approximating curve. Subtraction of plane from scanned image. subtraction of the second order surface from scanned image. 1-93

94 NOVA. SPM Control Program The key will appear if Point Number setting is selected to define scanning area size. When the key is pressed the number of points to be measured along one axis will automatically round up to the nearest integer power of two. Selects the setting to define scanned area sizes. Point Number The number of points to be measured. Scan Size Linear sizes of scanned area. Step Size Scanning step (the distance between two neighboring points to be measured). NOTE. It is well to bear in mind the following when changing Scan Size, Point Number, Step Size parameters: If to change Point Number: - Scan Size will change. - Step Size will not change. If to change Scan Size: - Step Size will change. - Point Number will not change. If to change Step Size: - Scan Size will change. - Point Number will not change. Changes scanning area proportions: Square Scanned area will remain full-squared if to change sizes. Proportional If to change scanned area size along one axis the size along another axis will change proportionally. Arbitrary Scanning area size will be defined as rectangular with arbitrary ratio of X and Y sizes. Fixed Size Scanning area size will remained constant if to change Point Number or Step Size setting. Opens Scan Settings dialog box (Fig. 14-9) to define scanning settings. II Pass Panel of setting definition for the second pass 1-94

95 Chapter 14. Scan Tab Activates the panel of setting definition for the second pass. Toggles between passes thus allowing to define settings of the switched on (first or second) pass. This key is doubled on the panel of main settings. Defines the settings of the device state for the second pass similar to those in the first pass. ΔZ The distance the scanner is diverted during the second pass scanning in relation to its position during the first pass scanning. For independent definition of settings for the second pass it is well to bear in mind that the second pass scanning mode depends on the signal supplied to the feedback input: - If feedback circuit is looped and the feedback output signal is supplied to the scanner z- section (the key is in the position shown in Fig. 14-4), the second phase scanning is made similar to the one pass modes; - If feedback circuit is opened or closed and the feedback output signal is supplied to the probe (the key is in the position shown in Fig. 14-5), the second pass scanning is made along the trajectory measured on the first pass, the probe is diverted to the ΔZ distance in relation to the first pass position. In this case surface geometry should be one of the signals measured during the first pass. Fig Fig Additional options may appear on the control panel depending on the selected scanning mode. 1-95

96 NOVA. SPM Control Program Contact Scanning Capacitance Microscopy Method (SCCM) When SCCM mode is used (Contact Capacitance Mode is selected in Scan Tab in the Mode selection list), SCCM panel will appear on the control panel Scan Tab (Please, see Fig. 14-6). Fig SCCM Panel Table SCCM Panel Options dv Probing Amp Cap Time Effective Time The value by which constant value of the voltage supplied to the sample (see Fig. 14-7) will be changed (increased or decreased). Input field to define the value of the amplitude of the probing signal (with 10 MHz frequency) supplied to the sample to measure capacity. The time of measurement of the value proportional to dc/dv (see Fig. 14-7) in every point of scanning area. Total time (See. Fig. 14-7) of one full measurement in every scanning point (i.e. measurement of signals of dc/dv capacity contrast and Height surface pattern). Measurement Algorithm of the Resulting dc/dv Contrast The contrast of the derivative dc/dv is measured in the following way: the output signal of the SCCM controller, displayed in the oscilloscope as C(V)+const signal is digitized in each point of the area of scanning with two values of the sample voltage direct component, related to Bias Voltage and dv parameters in the following way: V (1) dc BiasVoltage - dv, V (2) dc BiasVoltage dv Subtracting the resulting values of the SCM controller output signal from each other a value is obtained, which is proportional to the derivative dc/dv of the Probe-Insulator- Semiconductor system voltage capacitance in a given point of the area of scanning at the voltage of V dc = BiasVoltage. The time interval, during which the sample voltage direct component is equal to the specified values is set in the CapTime text box of the SCCM panel. If the sample surface topography is measured, the value of the sample voltage direct component is kept equal to BiasVoltage, whereas the time interval for the measurement of the sample topography in 1-96

97 Chapter 14. Scan Tab each point of the area of scanning is set in the Scan tab panel. The SCCM panel displays the effective time, during which the dc/dv contrast and the sample topography is measured in each point of the area of scanning, i.e: Effective Time = Cap Time + Time/Point To illustrate this, an oscillogram of the sample voltage direct component is shown on Fig Fig Oscilloscope trace of the voltage constant component on the sample during scanning using SCCM mode AFAM AFAM mode (AFAM option in Mode list of Scan Tab is selected) displays AFAM panel in the control panel of Scan Tab (Fig. 14-8). Fig AFAM Control Panel Freq FB Enabled Freq Set Point Feedback enabling. If checkbox is selected, signal phase remains constant defined in Set Point field. Signal supplied to the feedback circuit input. Piezo-converter frequency. Piezo-converter frequency range within which piezo-converter frequency is changed is defined in Min, Max input fields. Phase signal value supported constant at the expense of piezo-converter frequency changing. 1-97

98 NOVA. SPM Control Program Gain Gain of the signal supplied to the feedback circuit input Scan Settings Dialog box Press key on the main panel to open Scan Settings dialog box. Panel of scanning direction definition Panel of parallel scanning Panel of measured signals Fig Scan Settings Dialog box NOTE. The Scan Settings dialog box view depends on the type of used controller. Select Settings Device Info in the main menu to see information about controller type. P7 controllers (BL022MT, BL022SMT models) have no signal gain for the second ADC (Gain setting). Table Options of Scan Settings Dialog box Pressing of this tab closes the feedback loop on X, Y Auto Save Scanned results are automatically saved as frames in the current file. If the checkbox is selected received frames will be accessible in Data Tab on scanning completion. Averaging If the checkbox is selected measurement results received during movement between two neighboring scanning points are averaged. If the checkbox is not selected only measurement 1-98

99 Chapter 14. Scan Tab NL Correction Show All Profiles results in every scanning point are taken into consideration. Program correction of the scanner nonlinear movement. Nonlinear nature of the scanner piezoceramics is corrected if the scanner without displacement sensor is used. Sensor nonlinear nature is corrected if scanner with movement sensors is used. If the checkbox is selected, profiles of scanned images of all selected signals are simultaneously displayed. If the checkbox is not selected only profile of the selected image is displayed. Panel of scanning direction definition Horizontal axis. Vertical axis. horizontal direction of the quick scanning vertical direction of the quick scanning defines initial scanning point. NOTE. This panel doubles list. Direction selection Panel of parallel scanning Definition panel of scanning settings parallel to the surface scanned area. Select Frame list where you can select one of previously received frames will become active even if only one image is scanned. After frame selection top list is activated where you can select scanning mode. Off Parallel scanning function is switched off. By Plane The sample surface is approximated with the plane that has the lowest deviations from the initial surface. Scanning is made at ΔZ height over this plane. By Surface Scanning is made at the ΔZ height over the sample surface according to the surface pattern defined during scanning. The distance the probe raises over the sample surface during scanning is defined in ΔZ field of II Pass panel. 1-99

100 NOVA. SPM Control Program Panel of measured signals Activates the panel of the second pass signal definition. While pressing this key the Tab to define measured second pass signals is displayed on the panel of measured signals. Defines settings of the device state similar to the ones for the first pass. ADC#1 ADC#2 ADC (AD converter) number. Two ADCes are used to record signals. Thus while scanning you can simultaneously receive up to 4 images (two images on the direct pass and anther two on the back pass) that correspond to different measured settings of the investigated sample. Forward Backward Gain Filter Signals measured during the probe direct pass during scanning. Signals measured during the probe bask pass during scanning. Signal gain. It allows increasing the ratio of signal to ADC noise. (for example during scanning of samples with nanometer surface pattern, It is recommended to increase Gain if digital step-like data are seen on the profile of respective signal. It is well to bear in mind that the Gain increase results in proportional decrease of the measured signal range. P7 controllers (BL022MT, BL022MR models) have no signal gain for the second ADC. Cutoff frequency of the ADC LF filter. Signals with modulation frequency that exceeds the limit value selected in the Filter list will be cut off with this filter

101 Chapter 14. Scan Tab D Scanning Data View Panel The profile of the last fully passed line (Fig ) is displayed on the panel of 1D-data display during scanning. Scanned image profiles of all selected signals are simultaneously displayed if Show All Profiles checkbox is selected in scanning settings. Profile of selected scanned image is displayed if the checkbox is not selected. Fig Height Signal Profile 1D Data View contains a standard toolbar described in i Toolbar on page D Scanning Data View Panel Fig D Scanning Data View Panel Table Options of 2D Scanning Data View Panel Select Frame Store 2D Data Save Image Print Image Move Probe Opens a list of scanned images received during the current session. Attaches highlighted scanned image as a separate frame to the current data file with all made modifications taken into consideration. Saves highlighted image as a separate graphical file with *.bmp or *.jpg extension. Prints highlighted image. Moves the probe in relation to the sample surface. The probe moves in regard to the sample in real time mode 1-101

102 NOVA. SPM Control Program Select Scan Area during marker movement within maximum scanning area. Selects scanning area. Sizes and position of scanning area may be changed with the mouse within the limits of maximum scanning area. Move Visible Area Zoom In Zoom Out Allows moving visible area with the mouse within maximum scanning area. NOTE. You can scale 2D-data area with the mouse if to press key while keeping pressed <Shift> key Zoom in tool. After pressing Zoom In key select required area clicking in the required place or highlighting it with the mouse. The key is disabled with the second click of key. Zoom out tool. To decrease previously enlarged area press key. Opens a list that allows selecting one of the variants of scanned image display: Active Frame To display current frame over the whole image area. Maximum Scan Area To display maximum scanning area with scanned image location specified. Point Instrument Length Instrument Defines point coordinates. After pressing this key click required point on the image. Current point coordinates (x, y, z) will be displayed beside selected point and in the status line. If to keep <Ctrl> key pressed you can mark several points. Distance measurement between points. Having pressed this key fix one point in 2D-data area with the mouse click and without releasing the mouse key draw a line to the second point, then release the mouse key. Measured distance will be displayed as a note beside drawn line and in the status line. Position of the first and last points of the line may be changed with the mouse. Several lines may be drawn when <Ctrl> key is kept pressed

103 Chapter 14. Scan Tab Angle Instrument X Cross Section Y Cross Section Arbitrary Cross Section Z Coloration Auto Coloration Limi ts Mode Change Palette Toggle Axis 2D/3D Properties 3D/2D Image Representation Measurement of angle values in 2D-data area. Having pressed this key fix the vertex of an angle with the mouse click. Fix one side of the angle with the second mouse click, and the second side with the third mouse click. Measured angle value will be displayed as a note beside the vertex of the angle and in the status line. Position of all three points may be changed with the mouse click. Cross section parallel to X axis. Section profile is displayed on 2D Data View. Several sections may be drawn if <Ctrl> key is kept pressed. Cross section parallel to Y axis. Section profile is displayed on 1D Data View. Several sections may be drawn if <Ctrl> key is kept pressed. Cross section on arbitrary line. Cross section is displayed on 1D Data View. Several sections may be drawn if <Ctrl> key is kept pressed. Enabling of manual image contrast adjustment mode. After the key is pressed to the right from the scanned image a scale will appear to define required contrast with markers. Select the area on the image with the mouse and the contrast scale limits will be defined according to the selected image. Automatic contrast adjustment mode. Loading of the palette that differs from the default one (file with *.pal extension). Coordinate axis display Opens SettingsDialog to adjust 2D Data View interface (Please, see i Adjustment of 2D data Plot on page Toggles between 2D and 3D data representation. If this key is pressed the following additional options appear in the toolbar: Sizes of 3D-image may be changed if <Ctrl> is kept pressed

104 NOVA. SPM Control Program 3D View Modes Selection of scanned image 3D representation variant: Fast Representation of scanned image as 3D-surface with initial color saved. Wire Representation of scanned image as spline grid. Light Representation of scanned image as 3D-surface with possibility to change lighting and surface material properties. Light source brightness and surface property are changed in 3D Mode group of SettingsDialog. View point adjustment 3D View Point Adjustment 3D Pie Mode Scanning area selection Representation of scanned image as a surface with the volume filled in up to zero level. Maxim um scanning area size is defined by default for this scanner (Scan Size setting). You can change the size and to select scanning area within the limits of maximally possible area directly on t he scanning 2D Data View. Select tool and change the size and location of scanning area with the mouse (Fig ). Fig Scanned 2D-data display panel 1 Borders of selected scanning area, 2 Cursor that shows the probe position. During scanning an image of scanned surface for every selected signal appears line-by-line in the 2D Data View area (Fig ). In this case toolbar changes its view: it displays only keys of contrast adjustment and 2D-data panel interface

105 Chapter 14. Scan Tab Fig View of scanned 2D Data View during scanning The following settings may be defined during scanning: - SetPoint; - FB Cain; - Scanning speed; - Tilt subtraction; - Image contrast; - To change palette and interface settings of highlighted image

106 NOVA. SPM Control Program 15. Curves Tab Curves Tab is used to make spectroscopic measurements. Methods of spectroscopic measurements allow getting dependencies of different signals and values on the following settings: - Degree of the scanner z-piezopipe extension (Height setting); - Set Point value; - The value of the voltage applied between the probe and reference voltage Bias Voltage. Press key on the main operations panel to open Curves Tab. Spectroscopic measurement control panel Panel of scanned 2D Data View Panel of spectroscopic measurement data display Fig Curves Tab Curves Tab (See Fig. 15-1) includes the following options: - Spectroscopy Measurement Control Panel (see i on page 1-107); - 2D Scanning Data View Panel (see i on page 1-111); - Spectroscopy Data View Panel (see i on page 1-112)

107 Chapter 15. Curves Tab Spectroscopy Measurement Control Panel Fig Spectrometric Measurement Control Panel Table Options of Spectroscopic Measurement Control Panel Runs measurement process. Run Cyclic f1(a) Adhesion Mode Closed Loop Settings During measurement key toggles to key. If the key is pressed, pressing Run key will result in measurements to be made cyclically until user stops it. To stop measurement process press <Esc> or Stop key. Measured signal Includes automatic adhesive force measurement mode in the given point. During spectroscopy made along the grid it allows receiving distribution of adhesive force on the sample surface. This function as accessible only for AFM contact modes. To close/open feedback circuit on Z-sensor movement (only for scanners with movement sensors). Opens CurvesSettingsForm dialog box with the function of probe lifting over the sample surface enabled when measurement point is changed. This function is used to measure power curves using modified probes and allows securing molecule linker when probe location is changed in the sample plane (XY). The function works during spectroscopy in the point, along the line and on the grid. f1(a) filter LF filter cutoff frequency. XY Lift Movement The probe is rised to the defined height before movement beginning when the checkbox is selected, if current XY position of the probe differs from that selected with the cursor. If the probe XY position is not changed (measurements are made in 1-107

108 NOVA. SPM Control Program a From (Land) To (Lift) the same point) this function is not used. dz the distance the probe is required to be raised over the sample surface when changing measurement point. List of measured dependency argument selection; Input fields of measured dependency argument changing limits. Input filed names change depending on a argument value. Point in curve The number of points where selected signal will be measured (for every curve of approach diversion). Recommended Point in curve value Curve Time The time of spectroscopic dependency measurement. Recommended Curve Time value is 1 5 seconds. XY Point Set Method of measurement point definition. The program has three methods of measurement points definition: Point, Line, Grid. Point measurement of f1(a) dependency in the selected point on the sample surface. The number of measurements is defined in Curves input field. Select measurement point with the mouse click in the selected surface area. Line series of spectroscopic measurements is made in the surface points located on the selected line segment. In Positions input field define the number of points to be measured. The line direction and length are changed with the mouse. Draw a new line with the mouse while pressing <Ctrl> key. Grid Series of spectroscopic measurements is made in the nodes of the given grid

109 Chapter 15. Curves Tab The number of the grid nodes along X and Y axes is defined in Positions input fields. The grid size is changed with the mouse. To define a new size for the grid make a grid of required geometry with the mouse while pressing <Ctrl> key. NOTE. If spectroscopy is made in several points the point where the probe is located at the current moment is marked with the cross. f1(a) safety limits List of signal measurement limit selection. This function is used when there is a risk of too close approach of the probe to the surface and damage the probe or the surface. No limit there is no limitation (Fig. 15-3). Fig DFL(Height) Limit Above Limitation of the measured signal maximum value (Fig. 15-4). Is used when measured signal increases while approaching to the surface, for example, during DFL(Height) spectroscopy. When measured signal achieves the value specified in Level field scanner will stop moving

110 NOVA. SPM Control Program Fig DFL(Height) Limit Below limitation of minimum value of measured signal (Fig. 15-5). Is used when measured signal decreases while approaching to the surface, fir example, during Mag(Height) spectroscopy. When measured signal achieves the value specified in Level field scanner will stop moving. Fig Mag(Height) Level Value of the limit. Maximum possible (Limit Above) or minimum possible (Limit Below) value of measured signal

111 Chapter 15. Curves Tab D Scanning Data View Panel Scanned surface images are displayed in the display area of 2D data allowing to select points of interest on the sample surface image to make spectroscopy. Fig Toolbar of 2D Scanning Data View panel Toolbar (Fig. 15-6) contains a standard set of keys described in detail in i Toolbar on page 1-47 and several additional keys. Table Toolbar options Select Frame Allows selecting a frame from the list of frames received during the current working session. Spectroscopy points are defined on the selected image allowing to link spectroscopic measurement data to the surface scanned image. Select Point Selects the point to view spectroscopic measurement data. The point is selected after spectroscopic measurements made from the array of the points that correspond to the selected measurement mode (Point, Line, Grid). Click the list of measurement point selection ( selection. ) to exit the mode of point Move Visible Area Moves visible area using the mouse within maximum scanning area

112 NOVA. SPM Control Program Zoom in tool. Zoom In Zoom Out Z Coloration Auto Coloration Limits Mode Change Palette 2D/3D Properties Zoom out tool. Opens a list to select one of the modes to display scanned image. Manual adjustment of image contrast. Automatic adjustment of image contrast. Loads the palette that differs from the default one (file with *.pal extension) Opens SettingsDialog to adjust 2D data display panel interface (please, see. i Adjustment of 2D data Plot on page 1-50) Spectroscopy Data View Panel Results of spectroscopic measurements are shown on the plot. A set of such plots is displayed as a 2D card if measurements are made several times or in several points (Fig. 15-7). Every segment corresponds to the measurement in one point. In the example shown measurements were made on the grid with 25 points

113 Chapter 15. Curves Tab Fig Plotting toolbar has standard keys and is described in detail in i Toolbar on page Table Options of 2D-card Toolbar Measured Current Measurement quantity The number of highlighted curve. Selection of display modes of spectroscopic results: To display the result of spectroscopic measurements on forward trace (when changing the argument from maximum value to minimum). To display the result of spectroscopic measurements on back trace (when changing the argument from minimum value to maximum). Save Image Print Image To display the result of spectroscopic measurements on forward and back trace. Saves an image as a separate graphic file with *.bmp or *.jpg extension. Image printing 1-113

114 NOVA. SPM Control Program Change Palette 2D/3D Properties 3D/2D Image Representation Loads the palette that differs from the default one. Opens SettingsDialog to adjust 2D data display panel interface (please, see i Adjustment of 2D data Plot on page 1-50) Toggles between 2D and 3D data representation of spectroscopic measurements

115 Chapter 16. Litho Tab 16. Litho Tab Litho Tab (Fig. 16-1) controls surface modification in nanoscale. Press the control panel to open Litho Tab. key on Lithography control panel Lithography template panel Fig Litho Tab Lithography may be made with two methods: - Raster (item 16.1 on page 1-115); - Vector (item 16.2 on page 1-117). A set of lithography control panel options and lithography template toolbar depends on the lithography method

116 NOVA. SPM Control Program Raster lithography A template that represents graphical file in raster format is defined in raster lithography. The process of raster lithography is to use the probe to influence on the sample surface in every point of template. The level of influence depends on the point location in the range from the white to black color Lithography Control Panel To make raster lithography select Raster point in Mode list. Control panel will look as in Fig Fig View of control panel for raster lithography Runs lithography process. Table Options of raster lithography control panel Mode Method Lithography making mode. Select Raster option for raster lithography. Method of lithography making: Bias V electric lithography. Set Point power lithography. Defines the probe movement speed in relation to the sample surface during lithography. One of the following settings may be defined to define the speed: Litho Time Total time of lithography process (minutes). Time/Point Action time in every point of template (microseconds). Frequency the probe movement frequency in relation to the sample surface (Hertz). Velocity speed of the probe movement during lithography (micron/s). Recommended lithography speed values - several microns/sec. The other setting values are automatically calculated if the value of one setting changes

117 Chapter 16. Litho Tab Defines the size of lithography area. Select one of the following settings to define the lithography template size: Point Number Action point number. Scan Size Step Size points. Linear sizes of the template. Distance between two neighboring template Template File Level 1 Level 2 The key appears if Point Number setting is selected to define lithography area. If the key is pressed the template point quantity is automatically rounded to the nearest integral power of two. Changes lithography template proportions: Square The lithography area will remain full-squared if to change sizes. Proportional If to change the lithography template area size along one axis, the size along another axis will be changed proportionally. Arbitrary The lithography template area will remain rectangular with arbitrary ratio of sizes along Ox and Oy axes. Fixed Size The lithography area size will be the same during changing of Point Number and Step Size settings. The field of selection of the file lithography template. Having clicked key you will see the dialog box to find the required file. NOTE. An image of practically any raster format may be used as a template for raster lithography. The value of SetPoint (Bias V) setting in template points with the color corresponding to the lower limit of color scale (black color). The value of SetPoint (Bias V) setting in template points with the color corresponding to the higher limit of color scale (white color)

118 NOVA. SPM Control Program Lithography Template Panel The size and location of the lithography template may be selected within maximum scanning area. Lithography area is selected similar to scanning area selection (see i D Scanning Data View Panel on page 1-101). Bitmapped template toolbar (Fig. 16-3) contains standard 2D data toolbar keys described in i. 9.2 Two-dimensional Data on page 1-47, and additional key to hide lithography template. Fig Bitmap Template Toolbar Vector Lithography Vector lithography is the process of influence on the sample surface during the probe movement along the predefined vector template Lithography Control Panel Select Vector point in Mode list to make vector lithography. Control panel will look as in Fig Fig View of the vector lithography control panel Runs lithography process. Table Options of the vector lithography control panel: Mode Lithography mode. Select Vector for vector lithography. Method Method of lithography making: Bias V electric lithography. Set Point power lithography

119 Chapter 16. Litho Tab Template File Level 1 Level 2 Single Point Defines the speed of the probe movement in relation to the sample surface during lithography. We recommend to select Velocity as a setting to define velocity for vector lithography. The other settings are calculated on the assumption that the probe moves along the whole area of lithography similar to scanning. Litho Time Total time of lithography process. Time/Point Action time in every template point (is calculated on the assumption that the probe moves in the template area line-byline similar to scanning). Frequency Frequency of the probe movement in relation to the sample surface (is calculated on the assumption that the probe moves in the template area line-by-line as during scanning). Velocity The speed of the probe line-by-line movement in the template during lithography (micron/s). The other setting values are automatically calculated if the value of one setting changes. Filed of selection of file template for lithography. After clicking key dialog box will appear to select template for lithography (*.dxf format file). The value of SetPoint setting during the probe movement to the beginning of template, between template objects and to the central point after lithography completion. Usually this value is defined equal to the value of SetPoint (Bias V) setting in settings of contacting mode of scanning. The value of SetPoint (Bias V) settings during movement along lines and in points of the template. Is responsible for the value of impact on the sample. Action time during lithography process in a separate point Toolbar Toolbar (Fig. 16-5) contains standard keys to load and save vector template as well as tools to create vector images. Drawn objects may be moved in the template field. Fig Vector template toolbar New Open Creates a new lithography template. Loads ready template for lithography from the file with *.dxf extension (AutoCAD data format)

120 NOVA. SPM Control Program Save Cut Copy Paste Delete Point Line PolyLine Saves template. Deletes selected objects from the template and puts them on the clipboard. The tool is accessible only if even single object of template is selected. Copies selected object on clipboard. The tool is accessible only if single object of template is selected. Inserts clipboard contents into template field. Deletes selected object without recovery. The tool is accessible only if single object of template is selected. Point. Point location is defined with mouse click in template field. Line segment. The segment beginning and end are defined with mouse clicks. Polyline. Polyline segments are defined with mouse clicks. When polyline is defined final point is fixed with right click. Rect Rectangle. From now forward, if it is allowed to edit this object ( key is not pressed), its sizes and form may be changed at random pulling the required angle or side. Circle Arc Ellipse Select Rotate Move All Lock Transform Circle. Arc. To draw an arc make a segment, then extend an arc behind any point between segment points. Ellipse Selects an object. Selected object will be white colored. Press <Ctrl> key to select several objects. Left click and move cursor to move objects. Rotates selected objects. Press <Ctrl> key to select several objects. Left click and move cursor to rotate selected objects. The whole template moves as a unified whole. Highlighted object is locked for editing. To display/to hide grid. Show Grid Snap to Grid If the key is pressed objects move to the template field along the grid nodes

121 Chapter 17. XY Stage Tab 17. XY Stage Tab XY Stage tab is designed to control the motorized positioning system that performs automated linear positioning of the sample. Use of the motorized positioning system simplifies significantly positioning of the sample with respect to the probe as well as traversing a specified set of locations on the sample surface to perform measurements at those locations. XY Stage tab (Fig. 17-1) opens with the Panel. button on the Main Operations Fig XY Stage tab The tab is available in the Control Program if setting XYStage=1 is made in the section [PageVisibilities]of the Interface.ini file. The right part of the XY Stage tab is reserved for viewing an image from the videomicroscope of the instrument thus allowing visual inspection of positioning of the sample and selection of areas for investigation. Refer to Chapter 23 on p for details on operations with the video image. The left part of the XY Stage tab contains panels Mover and Move to coordinate that provide controls of the positioning system and two information panels, Status and Position

122 NOVA. SPM Control Program Mover Panel Fig Mover panel Move the sample by one step in a specified direction. Value of the step is defined in the Settings tab. Refer to p for details on Settings tab. Starts movement of the sample in a specified direction. The movement stops either by clicking the Stop button or after reaching the extreme position. Stops movement of the positioning system. Keyboard Joystick If selected, the positioning system can be controlled with the arrow keys (< >, < >, < >, < >) of the keyboard. The movement stops by pressing the <Esc> key. If selected, the positioning system can be controlled with the joystick

123 Chapter 17. XY Stage Tab Move to coordinate Panel Fig Move to coordinate panel Input fields X and Y define coordinates of the location the positioning system to be moved to. Clicking the button starts movement of the positioning system along a corresponding direction to the coordinate specified for that direction. Status Pan el Fig Status panel Status panel serves to display the current state of the positioning system. The following states of the positioning system are available: - Disabled the positioning system is disabled; - Enabled the positioning system is enabled; - Moving the stepper motor rotates; - Ready a specified job is completed, the positioning system is ready for next operations; - On Positive Limiter the upper extreme position is reached; - On Negative Limiter the lower extreme position is reached; - Stopped movement of the positioning system was broken by clicking the Stop button. Position Panel Fig Position panel Position panel serves to display coordinates of the current location on the sample at every direction. Coordinates are represented in units of measurement that are defined in the Units section in the Settings tab

124 NOVA. SPM Control Program The left bottom part of the XY Stage tab contains tabs Settings, Calibration and Points. Fig Tabs Settings Tab Settings tab contains controls of the XY Stage tab interface and information on the status of the positioning system. The following parameters are available in the Settings tab: - Position&Status list of parameters on the current status of the positioning system: - Enabled status of the positioning system (Yes enabled, No disabled); - Axis X current position of the system at X direction; - Axis Y current position of the system at Y direction; - Motor X current status of the X stepper motor of the positioning system; - Motor Y current status of the Y stepper motor of the positioning system. - Settings list of parameters defining operation with the positioning system: - Axis X X direction parameters: - Units selects measurement units for operation with the positioning system; - Scale distance covered by the positioning system at one step of the stepper motor in the selected measurement units; - Precision number of decimals to be displayed in panels Position and Move to coordinate; - Minimum coordinate of the leftmost position; - Maximum coordinate of the rightmost position. This value is automatically set to a multiple of the Scale coefficient; - Position current position of the positioning system in the selected measurement units (modification of this parameter is not advised); - Step s ize sets value of one step of the positioning system. - Axis Y Y direction parameters: - Units selects measurement units for operation with the positioning system; - Scale distance covered by the positioning system motor in the selected measurement units; at one step of the stepper 1-124

125 Chapter 17. XY Stage Tab - Precision number of decimals to be displayed in panels Position and Move to coordinate; - Minimum coordinate of the position closest to the operator; - Maximum coordinate of the position most distant from the operator. This value is automatically set to a multiple of the Scale coefficient; - Position current position of the positioning system in the selected measurement units (modification of this parameter is not advised); - Step size sets value of one step of the positioning system; - Synchronize X&Y synchronizes modifications of X and Y parameters. - Available units information on available measurement units: - Available measurement units given in the XYStage.ini file (e.g. nm, um, mm, inch, step): - Scale distance covered by the positioning system at one step of motor in the selected measurement units; the stepper - Precision number of decimals to be displayed in panels Position and Move to coordinate. Calibration Tab Calibration (Fig. 17-7) tab serves for calibrating the positioning system in X and Y directions. Coordinates are collected in a table that can be saved in a separate ini-file. By default, the data are saved in the XYStagePoints.ini file. Fig Calibration tab Checkboxes Axis X and Axis Y selects directions at which calibration will be performed. Clicking the button starts the calibration process along the selected directions. If both directions were selected, calibration along the X direction precedes calibration along the Y direction

126 NOVA. SPM Control Program Algorithm of the calibration is following: Calibration along the X direction: 1. Movement to the left down to the limit switch. This position is taken as zero of the coordinate and is recorded to the Minimum parameter of the Axis X group in the Settings list. 2. Movement to the right up to the limit switch. This position is taken as maximum allowed for the coordinate and is recorded to the Maximum parameter of the Axis X group in the Settings list. Calibration along the Y direction: 1. Movement upwards to the limit switch. This position is taken as zero of the coordinate and is recorded to the Minimum parameter of the Axis Y group in the Settings list. 2. Movement downwards to the limit switch. This position is taken as maximum allowed for the coordinate and is recorded to the Maximum parameter of the Axis Y group in the Settings list. To interrupt the calibration process, click the Stop button. Points Tab Points tab (Fig. 17-8) serves to traverse the positioning system over a specified set of locations and to record the current coordinates. Fig Points tab Buttons of the tab allow manipulating with the list of locations: Appends the current location of the positioning system to the table. Removes the selected location from the table. Loads a table of locations from an ini-file. Saves the current table to a file of ini extension

127 Chapter 17. XY Stage Tab Below the butto ns, the table with coordinates of recorded locations is placed: - N ordina l of a location in the table; - X X coordinate of a location. Brackets of the column header contain measurement units that are defined in the Settings tab; - Y Y coordinate of a location. Brackets of the column header contain measurement units that are defined in the Settings tab; - Comment textual comment on a location. After a location is selected, its coordinates in columns X and Y are supplied with the buttons. To move the positioning system to the selected location, click the buttons in the corresponding cells. To modify the content of a cell, double-click the cell and enter the desired value. All cells but cells of ordinal numbers can be edited

128 NOVA. SPM Control Program 18. RL Stage Tab RL Stage tab is designed to control the motorized positioning system that performs automated positioning of the sample in polar coordinates with L being the length of the radius-vector and R being the polar angle defined in the range from 0 to 360 degrees. Use of the motorized positioning system simplifies significantly positioning of the sample with respect to the probe as well as traversing a specified set of locations on the sample surface to perform measurements at those locations. RL Stage tab (Fig. 18-1) opens with the Panel. button on the Main Operations Fig RL Stage tab The tab is available in the Control Program if setting RLStage=1 is made in the section [PageVisibilities]of the Interface.ini file. The right part of the RL Stage tab is reserved for viewing an image from the videomicroscope of the instrument thus allowing visual inspection of positioning of the sample and selection of areas for investigation. Refer to Item 23 on p for details on operations with the video image. The left part of the RL Stage tab contains panels Mover and Move to coordinate that provide controls of the positioning system and two information panels, Status and Position

129 Chapter 18. RL Stage Tab Mover Panel Fig Mover panel Move the sample by one step in a specified direction. Value of the step is defined in the Settings tab. Refer to p for details on Settings tab. Starts movement of the sample in a specified direction. The movement stops either by clicking the Stop button or after reaching the extreme position. Rotates the sample by one step in a specified direction. Value of the step is defined in the Settings tab. Refer to p for details on Settings tab. Starts rotation of the sample in a specified direction. The movement stops either by clicking the Stop button or after reaching the extreme position. Stops movement of the positioning system. Keyboard Joystick If selected, the positioning system can be controlled with the arrow keys (< >, < >, < >, < >) of the keyboard. Keys < >, < > serves for linear displacement of the sample. Keys < >, < > serves for rotation of the sample. The movement stops by pressing the <Esc> key. If selected, the positioning system can be controlled with the joystick

130 NOVA. SPM Control Program Move to coordinate Panel Fig Move to coordinate panel R input field defines the rotation angle of the positioning system while the L field defines its linear displacement. buttons in the corresponding cells start rotation and linear displacement of the positioning system to move it to the desired location. Status Panel Fig Status panel Status panel serves to display the current state of the positioning system. The following states of the positioning system are available: - Disabled the positioning system is disabled; - Enabled the positioning system is enabled; - Moving the stepper motor rotates; - Ready a specified job is completed, the positioning system is ready for next operations; - On Positive Limiter the upper extreme position is reached; - On Negative Limiter the lower extreme position is reached; - Stopped movement of the positioning system was broken by clicking the Stop button. Position Panel Fig Position panel 1-130

131 Chapter 18. RL Stage Tab Position panel serves to display coordinates of the current location on the sample at every direction. Coordinates are represented in units of measurement that are defined in the Units section in the Settings tab. The left bottom part of the RL Stage tab contains tabs Settings, Calibration and Points. Fig Tabs Settings Tab Settings tab contains controls of the RL Stage tab interface and information on the status of the positioning system. The following parameters are available in the Settings tab: - Position&Status list of parameters on the current status of the positioning system: - Enabled status of the positioning system (Yes enabled, No disabled); - Axis R current rotation angle of the positioning system; - Axis L current linear displacement of the positioning system; - Motor R current status of the rotation motor of the positioning system; - Motor L current status of the linear motor of the positioning system. - Settings list of parameters defining operation with the positioning system: - Axis R rotation parameters: - Units selects measurement units for operation with the positioning system; - Scale angular distance covered by the positioning system at one step of the stepper motor in the selected measurement units; - Precision number of decimals to be displayed in panels Position and Move to coordinate; - Minimum angular coordinate at the extreme position of the counterclockwise rotation; - Maximum angular coordinate at the extreme position of the clockwise rotation. This value is automatically set to a multiple of the Scale coefficient; - Position current position of the positioning system in the selected measurement units (modification of this parameter is not advised); - Step size sets value of one step of the positioning system

132 NOVA. SPM Control Program - Axis L linear displacement parameters: - Units selects measurement units for operation with the positioning system; - Scale distance covered by the positioning system at one step of the stepper motor in the selected measurement units; - Precision number of decimals to be displayed in panels Position and Move to coordinate; - Minimum coordinate of the position closest to the operator; - Maximum coordinate of the position most distant from the operator. This value is automatically set to a multiple of the Scale coefficient; - Position current position of the positioning system in the selected measurement units (modification of this parameter is not advised); - Step size sets value of one step of the positioning system; - Synchronize R&L synchronizes modifications of angular and linear parameters. - Available units information on available measurement units: - Available measurement units given in the RLStage.ini file (e.g. um, mm, deg, rad, step): - Scale distance covered by the positioning system at one step of the stepper motor in the selected measurement units; - Precision number of decimals to be displayed in panels Position and Move to coordinate. NOTE. Angular units are relevant for Axis R while linear units are relevant for Axis L.. Therefore, for simultaneous modifications of angular and linear coordinates setting the Synchronize R&L parameter to No is recommended. Calibration Tab Calibration tab (Fig. 18-7) serves for calibrating the positioning system in the rotational direction and in the linear displacement direction. Fig Calibration tab Checkboxes Axis R and Axis L selects directions at which calibration will be performed

133 Chapter 18. RL Stage Tab Clicking the button starts the calibration process along the selected directions. If both directions were selected, calibration along the R direction precedes calibration along the L direction. Algorithm of the calibration is following: Calibration along the R direction: 1. Rotation clockwise to the limit switch. This position is taken as zero of the coordinate and is recorded to the Minimum parameter of the Axis R group in the Settings list. 2. Rotation clockwise to the angle corresponding to steps of the stepper motor. 3. Rotation clockwise to the limit switch. This position is taken as 360 and is recorded to the Maximum parameter of the Axis R group in the Settings list. Calibration along the L direction: 1. Movement upwards to the limit switch. This position is taken as zero of the coordinate and is recorded to the Minimum parameter of the Axis L group in the Settings list. 2. Movement downwards to the limit switch. This position is taken as maximum allowed for the coordinate and is recorded to the Maximum parameter of the Axis L group in the Settings list. To interrupt the calibration process, click the Stop button. Points Tab Points tab (Fig. 18-8) serves to traverse the positioning system over a specified set of locations and to record the current coordinates. Coordinates are collected in a table that can be saved in a separate ini-file. By default, the data are saved in the RLStagePoints.ini file. Fig Points Tab 1-133

134 NOVA. SPM Control Program Buttons of the tab allow manipulating with the list of locations: Appends the current location of the positioning system to the table. Removes the selected location from the table. Loads a table of locations from an ini-file. Saves the current table to a file of ini extension. Below the buttons, the table with coordinates of recorded locations is placed: - N ordinal of a location in the table; - R rotation angle of the positioning system. Brackets of the column header contain measurement units that are defined in the Settings tab; - L linear displacement of the positioning system. Brackets of the column header contain measurement units that are defined in the Settings tab; - Comment textual comment on a location. After a location is selected, its coordinates in columns R and L are supplied with the buttons. To move the positioning system to the selected location, click the buttons in the corresponding cells. To modify the content of a cell, double-click the cell and enter the desired value. All cells but cells of ordinal numbers can be edited

135 Chapter 19. HV Stage Tab 19. HV Stage Tab HV Stage tab is designed to control the motorized positioning system that performs automated positioning of the sample in a vacuum chamber. Use of the motorized positioning system allows positioning of the sample isolated in the vacuum chamber with respect to the probe as well as traversing a specified set of locations on the sample surface to perform measurements at those locations. HV Stage tab (Fig. 19-1) opens with the Panel. button on the Main Operations Fig HV Stage tab The tab is available in the Control Program if setting HVStage=1 is made in the section [PageVisibilities]of the Interface.ini file. The right part of the HV Stage tab is reserved for viewing an image from the videomicroscope of the instrument thus allowing visual inspection of positioning of the sample and selection of areas for investigation. Refer to Item 23 on p for details on operations with the video image. The left part of the HV Stage tab contains panels Mover and Move to coordinate that provide controls of the positioning system and two information panels, Status and Position

136 NOVA. SPM Control Program Mover Panel Fig Mover panel Move the sample by one step in a specified direction. Value of the step is defined in the Settings tab. Refer to p for details on Settings tab. Starts movement of the sample in a specified direction. The movement stops either by clicking the Stop button or after reaching the extreme position. Stops movement of the positioning system. Keyboard Joystick If selected, the positioning system can be controlled with the arrow keys (< >, < >, < >, < >) of the keyboard. The movement stops by pressing the <Esc> key. If selected, the positioning system can be controlled with the joystick. Move to coordinate Panel Fig Move to coordinate panel Input fields X and Y define coordinates of the location the positioning system to be moved to

137 Chapter 19. HV Stage Tab Clicking the button starts movement of the positioning system along a corresponding direction to the coordinate specified for that direction. Status Panel Fig Status panel Status panel serves to display the current state of the positioning system. The following states of the positioning system are available: - Disabled the positioning system is disabled; - Enabled the positioning system is enabled; - Moving the stepper motor rotates; - Ready a specified job is completed, the positioning system is ready for next operations; - On Positive Limiter the upper extreme position is reached; - On Negative Limiter the lower extreme position is reached; - Stopped movement of the positioning system was broken by clicking the Stop button. Position Panel Fig Position panel Position panel serves to display coordinates of the current location on the sample at every direction. Coordinates are represented in units of measurement that are defined in the Units section in the Settings tab. The left bottom part of the HV Stage tab contains tabs Settings, Calibration and Points

138 NOVA. SPM Control Program Fig Tabs Settings Tab Settings tab contains controls of the HV Stage tab interface and information on the status of the positioning system. The following parameters are available in the Settings tab: - Position&Status list of parameters on the current status of the positioning system: - Enabled status of the positioning system (Yes enabled, No disabled); - Axis X current position of the system at X direction; - Axis Y current position of the system at Y direction; - Motor X current status of the X stepper motor of the positioning system; - Motor Y current status of the Y stepper motor of the positioning system. - Settings list of parameters defining operation with the positioning system: - Axis X X direction parameters: - Units selects measurement units for operation with the positioning system; - Scale distance covered by the positioning system at one step of the stepper motor in the selected measurement units; - Precision number of decimals to be displayed in panels Position Move to coordinate; - Minimum coordinate of the leftmost position; - Maximum coordinate of the rightmost position. This value is automatically set to a multiple of the Scale coefficient; - Position current position of the positioning system in the selected measurement units (modification of this parameter is not advised); - Step size sets value of one step of the positioning system. - Axis Y Y direction parameters: - Units selects measurement units for operation with the positioning system; - Scale distance covered by the positioning system at one step of the stepper motor in the selected measurement units; - Precision number of decimals to be displayed in panels Position and Move to coordinate; and 1-138

139 Chapter 19. HV Stage Tab - Minimum coordinate of the position closest to the operator; - Maximum coordinate of the position most distant from the operator. This value is automatically set to a multiple of the Scale coefficient; - Position current position of the positioning system in the selected measurement units (modification of this parameter is not advised); - Step size sets value of one step of the positioning system; - Synchronize X&Y synchronizes modifications of X and Y parameters. - Available units information on available measurement units: - Available measurement units given in the HVStage.ini file (e.g. nm, um, mm, inch, step): - Scale distance covered by the positioning system at one step of motor in the selected measurement units; the stepper - Precision number of decimals to be displayed in panels Position and Move to coordinate. Calibration Tab Calibration (Fig. 19-7) tab serves for calibrating the positioning system in X and Y directions. Coordinates are collected in a table that can be saved in a separate ini-file. By default, the data are saved in the HVStagePoints.ini file. Fig Calibration tab Checkboxes Axis X and Axis Y selects directions at which calibration will be performed. Clicking the button starts the calibration process along the selected directions. If both directions were selected, calibration along the X direction precedes calibration along the Y direction. Algorithm of the calibration is following: Calibration along the X direction: 1. Movement to the left down to the limit switch. This position is taken as zero of the coordinate and is recorded to the Minimum parameter of the Axis X group in the Settings list

140 NOVA. SPM Control Program 2. Movement to the right up to the limit switch. This position is taken as maximum allowed for the coordinate and is recorded to the Maximum parameter of the Axis X group in the Settings list. Calibration along the Y direction: 1. Movement upwards to the limit switch. This position is taken as zero of the coordinate and is recorded to the Minimum parameter of the Axis Y group in the Settings list. 2. Movement downwards to the limit switch. This position is taken as maximum allowed for the coordinate and is recorded to the Maximum parameter of the Axis Y group in the Settings list. To interrupt the calibration process, click the Stop button. P oints Tab Points tab (Fig. 19-8) serves to traverse the positioning locations and to record the current coordinates. system over a specified set of Fig Points tab Buttons of the tab allow manipulating with the list of locations: Appends the current location of the positioning system to the table. Removes the selected location from the table. Loads a table of locations from an ini-file. Saves the current table to a file of ini extension

141 Chapter 19. HV Stage Tab Below the butto ns, the table with coordinates of recorded locations is placed: - N ordinal of a location in the table; - X X coordinate of a location. Brackets of the column header contain measurement units that are defined in the Settings tab; - Y Y coordinate of a location. Brackets of the column header contain measurement units that are defined in the Settings tab; - Comment textual comment on a location. After a location is selected, its coordinates in columns X and Y are supplied with the buttons. To move the positioning system to the selected location, click the buttons in the corresponding cells. To modify the content of a cell, double-click the cell and enter the desired value. All cells but cells of ordinal numbers can be edited

142 NOVA. SPM Control Program 20. SCTP0 Stage Tab SCTP0 Stage tab (Fig. 20-1) opens with the button Operations Panel. on the Main Control panel Software oscilloscope Fig SCTP0 Stage tab The tab is available in the program if the setting SCTP0Stage=1 is made in [PageVisibilities] section of Interface.ini file. SCTP0 Stage tab is employed in the use of the XY scanning platform of the model SCTP0. The tab is designed for tuning of the displacement sensors of the X, Y piezodrivers of the platform SCTP0 as well as for tuning of the Z-piezodriver of positioning of the inverted microscope objective. Besides, components of the control panel provide focusing of the objective on the sample surface. Appearance of the control panel is determined by the device configuration. The fields X, Y of the control panel defines the scanning platform control. The field Z controls the objective Z-piezodriver and so it is displayed only if the device configuration contains this appliance. The software oscilloscope displays signals from the displacement sensors

143 Chapter 20. SCTP0 Stage Tab When operating the scanning platform, both scanning by the platform (scanning-by-sample mode) and scanning by the scanner of the measuring head (scanning-by-probe mode) are available. The scanning mode is selected from the list on the Main Parameters Panel (Fig. 20-2): TUBE scanning-by-probe mode; STAGE scanning-by-sample mode. Fig Table Components of the Control Panel Position Close Loop Positions of the piezodriver. The text boxes define the elongation degrees of the piezodriver. X- and Y-piezodriver facilitate positioning of the sample in XY plane. Z-piezodriver provides focusing of the objective. State of the feedback Closes the XY feedback loop Closes the Z feedback loop CL Gain Text boxes for input of gain coefficients of the feedback loops Adjust-Move Adjustment of the displacement sensors Feeding of the X- and Y- piezodrivers of the scanning platform with voltage of saw-tooth shape Feeding of the Z-piezodriver of the objective with square pulses of voltage Step Height Text box of magnitude of square pulses applied to the Z- piezodriver Opens SCTP0 Stage Settings dialog box (see Fig. 20-3) which defines: - calibration coefficients of the scanners; - parameters controlling the operation of the piezodrivers

144 NOVA. SPM Control Program Stage area range params XScale YScale ZScale XRange [mkm] YRange [mkm] ZRange [mkm] Misc params Z-axis Enabled XY Move Freq [Hz] Z Move Freq [Hz] OK Fig SCTP0 Stage Settings Dialog box Table Controls of the dialog box SCTP0 Stage Settings Calibration coefficients of the piezodrivers Calibration coefficient of the X-piezodriver of the scanning platform Calibration coefficient of the Y-piezodriver of the scanning platform Calibration coefficient of the Z-piezodriver Scan range of the X-piezodriver of the scanning platform Scan range of the Y-piezodriver of the scanning platform Scan range of the Z-piezodriver Miscellaneous parameters If the box is checked, controls of the Z-piezodriver of the objective are displayed on the control panel. Otherwise those controls are hidden. Frequency of the saw-tooth-shaped signal applied to piezodrivers of the scanning platform. Frequency of square pulses applied to the Z-piezodriver of the objective Applies modifications and closes SCTP0 Stage Settings dialog box Cancel Closes SCTP0 Stage Settings dialog box ignoring modifications The calibration coefficient and the scan range along a particular axis are linked through a certain relation. So modification of the calibration coefficients is followed by a corresponding change of the scan ranges

145 Chapter 21. Spectra Tab 21. Spectra Tab The Spectra tab is designed for operation with the NTEGRA Spectra complex. The tab opens with the button on the Main Operations Panel. At the left top of the Spectra tab, the button (Fig. 21-1) can be found. Clicking on the button opens a slider that serves for precise focusing of the objective on the sample surface. Fig To the right from the button, the Save Full Spectrum separately checkbox and the folder input field are located. Value of the checkbox is used in the procedure on scanning with recording the full spectrum at every point (the Full Spectrum Recording button in the Device parameters adjustment panel is pressed). If the checkbox is selected, the scan data are saved in a separate file located in the folder that is indicated in the folder input field. Otherwise, the scan data are appended to the current file as a separate frame in the Data tab. The Spectra tab contains a number of subtabs a particular set of which depends on the instrument configuration. A NTEGRA Spectra instrument is equipped with CCD camera(s) of Andor or Renishaw type as the detector of laser radiation. According to type(s) of the installed detector(s), the program opens the Andor CCD and/or Renishaw CCD tab(s)

146 NOVA. SPM Control Program Andor CCD Tab The Andor CCD tab (Fig. 21-2) contains controls for adjusting the recording channels of the spectral unit. Function panel Device parameters adjustment panel Table of selected spectral regions Table of functions assigned to the selected spectral regions Data view panel Toolbar Fig Andor CCD tab Toolbar Controls of the Toolbar (Fig. 21-3) serve for adjusting operation modes of the CCD camera and for selecting imaging modes of the Data View Panel. Fig Toolbar 1-146

147 Chapter 21. Spectra Tab Table Controls of the Toolbar Defines the mode of displaying the signal collected by the CCD matrix: Image viewing the image collected by the CCD matrix (Fig. 21-6); V.bin viewing the spectrum collected by summing all the rows of the CCD matrix (Fig. 21-7); Track viewing the spectrum collected by summing those rows of the CCD matrix that are in the band predefined by the parameters Track and Width (Fig. 21-7). Defines the central row for the Track mode of the signal recording. Defines the band width for collecting the signal in the Track recording mode. Selects the acquisition mode of the signal coming to the CCD matrix: Single Scan the CCD camera is exposed one time to radiation during the Exposure Time; Accumulate multiple exposure of the CCD matrix. Exposure duration is defined by the Exposure Time input field, total of expositions is given in the input field, time interval between successive expositions is given by the Cycle Time input field. Defines the total of repetitive expositions in the Accumulate mode. Defines the time periodicity for repetitive expositions in the Accumulate mode. Defines the time the CCD matrix is exposed to radiation. Defines the cooling temperature of the CCD matrix. Switches on/off cooling of the CCD matrix. If cooling is on, the button displays the current temperature of the matrix. If cooling is off (the button is not pressed in), the button displays only negative temperatures. Live Mode Single Scan Selects continuous recording of the CCD matrix signal. Selects single recording of the CCD matrix signal. Defines the measurement units of the Data View panel: Pixels in pixels; Wave Length (nm) in nanometers (only for displaying a spectrum); Raman Shift (1/cm) in inverse centimeters (only for displaying a spectrum)

148 NOVA. SPM Control Program The top of the Data View panel contains a toolbar. Appearance of the toolbar may be dependent of the viewing mode. As well, the toolbar contains a set of the standard buttons that are described at length in i. 9 Data on page The set of the standard toolbar buttons is added with the button for selecting a spectrum region. Selecting a number of spectrum regions is performed with the <Ctrl> key pressed Device Parameters Adjustment Panel The Device parameters adjustment table (Fig. 21-4) contains controls for adjusting and calibrating the spectrometer and the CCD matrix. Fig Device parameters adjustment panel Table Controls of the Device parameters adjustment panel Use Andor CCD for scanning Save As Background Subtract Background Full Spectrum Recording CONTROL If selected, the Andor CCD camera (if installed) is enabled for operation. The checkbox is unavailable if only one detector is installed in the instrument. Saves the selected region as background. Subtracts background taken from the saved region. If selected, the full spectrum is collected at every scan point. If the checkbox Save Full Spectrum separately is selected, the scan data are saved in a separate file; otherwise, the scan data are appended to the current file as a separate frame in the Data tab. The collected data can be later analyzed in the Frame Review and Editing Panel of the Data tab (see sec on p. 1-69). Opens the Spectral acquisition setup dialog (refer to a corresponding spectrometer manual for explanations on the Spectral acquisition setup dialog). The button is unavailable if only the Renishaw detector is installed in the instrument

149 Chapter 21. Spectra Tab Defines speeds of vertical (V) and horizontal (H) information recording from the CCD matrix Defines the laser wavelength to be used in Raman scattering measurements. The Save button is designed to save the selected laser wavelength. The last saved value goes to the Laser field at the further start of the program. Defines the central pixel of the CCD matrix. The Save button is designed to save the number of the selected central pixel. The last saved value goes to the Central Pix field at the further start of the program. Spectro Clbr Manual Clbr Save Clbr OPTIONS Defines initial calibration parameters of the CCD matrix for converting measurement units from pixels to nanometers or inverse centimeters. The button is unavailable if only the Renishaw detector is installed in the instrument. Calls the Manual Calibration dialog for manual calibration of the CCD matrix X axis. This calibration is necessary for converting measurement units from pixels to nanometers or inverse centimeters with the use of the source of reference signals. Saves calibration of the CCD matrix in a file of *.ca1 extension. The button is unavailable if only the Renishaw detector is installed in the instrument. Calls the CCD Information dialog that contains details on the CCD camera and on its parameters (for details refer to CCD Information Dialog on page 1-148). The button is unavailable if only the Renishaw detector is installed in the instrument. CCD Information Dialog Information on the installed CCD camera as well as on adjustable operation parameters is available in the CCD Information dialog box (Fig. 21-5). This dialog opens with the button in the Device Adjustment Panel

150 NOVA. SPM Control Program Fig CCD Information dialog box The Capabilities panel provides information on the installed CCD camera. Other panels of the dialog contains controls on adjustable parameters of the camera. Explanation of controls for adjusting the camera parameters is given in Table Table Controls for adjusting the CCD camera Use Laser Shutter Open Shutter Automatically Temperature Selects the shutter to access the corresponding laser. If selected, the selected shutter opens automatically in the course of measurements. CCD camera cooling control panel

151 Chapter 21. Spectra Tab Defines the cooling temperature of the CCD camera. Starts/stops cooling the CCD camera. Detector CCD Chip Real Pixel Save on Exit Save read mode Save track and height Save exposure time Save shift speeds Save temperature Save cooler state Displays the current temperature. CCD camera calibration panel. Displays the CCD matrix dimensions in pixels along the vertical and horizontal directions. Displays the actual vertical and horizontal sizes of the pixel Calibrates pixels in the Control Program in terms of real pixels in the CCD camera. Panel of parameters to be saved on exiting the program. The selected parameters will be restored at the subsequent start of the program. If selected, the display mode of the signal collected by the CCD matrix (Image, V.bin, Track) is saved. If selected, the predefined central row and the band width of the Track recording mode are saved. If selected, the time the CCD matrix is exposed to radiation is saved If selected, the speeds of recording the CCD camera signal are saved If selected, the value of the field on the CCD camera cooling temperature is saved If selected, the state of the switch on running of the CCD matrix cooling is saved Save Shutter Number Load on Start Shift speed Cooler Save all parameters immediately Saves the numerical ID of the operating shutter. Panel on initiating parameters at starting the Control Program. Selects the speed of information recording from the CCD matrix at starting the program: set slowest minimum speed set fastest maximum speed load state speed saved at exiting the Control Program. Selects the state of the CCD matrix cooling system at starting the program: switch off cooling is off switch on cooling is on load state restore the state at the previous exiting the Control Program. Forces immediate saving all the parameters selected in the Parameters panel

152 NOVA. SPM Control Program Data View Panel The Data View panel provides displaying of the CCD matrix collected signal either as 2D image (Fig. 21-6) when the Image recording mode is selected, or as a spectrum (Fig. 21-7) when the recording mode V.bin or Track is selected. Fig D image of the CCD matrix collected signal Fig Spectrum of the CCD matrix collected signal Panels for Operation with Selected Spectral Regions Regions Table After a spectrum region is selected in the Data View panel its parameters are appended to the Regions table (Fig. 21-8). If necessary, parameters of the selected regions as well as the user defined functions can be saved in a file of *.rg extension. Fig Regions table 1-152

153 Chapter 21. Spectra Tab The Regions table contains the following information in its columns on the selected spectral regions: Marks the current active line with the symbol. Ordinal number of a selected spectral region. Units Left, Right QF Measurement units. Minimum and maximum limits of a selected spectral region. Total of user defined functions assigned to a selected region. The top of the Regions table contains a toolbar for file operations with information on selected spectral regions: Load Save Delete Loads a set of spectral regions from a file of *.rg extension Saves selected spectral regions in a file of *.rg extension Clears the table and removes the selected regions from the Data View Panel Functions Panel The Functions panel (Fig. 21-9) contains a list of functions that can be assigned to a particular selected spectral region of the Regions table. Fig Functions panel 1-153

154 NOVA. SPM Control Program Table List of available functions Maximum Value Maximum Position Average Value Mass Centre Value Mass Centre Position Skewness Value FWHM Subtract Maximum value Position of the maximum in the given coordinates Average value Value at the mass center Position of the mass center in the given coordinates Characteristics of asymmetry Full width at half maximum Option to subtract background from the spectrum Functions Table The list of the assigned functions is given in the Functions table (Fig ). If necessary, parameters of the selected regions as well as the user assigned functions can be saved in a file of *.rg extension. Fig Functions table The table contains the following information on all user calculated characteristics of the selected spectral regions: Ordinal number of a function. Region Sub Function FuncUnits Title Ordinal number of selected spectral regions. Label on subtracting of the background. Name of an assigned function. Measurement units. Description

155 Chapter 21. Spectra Tab The top of the Functions table contains a toolbar for file operations with information on selected spectral regions: Load Save Delete Loads a set of spectral regions from a file of *.rg extension. Saves selected spectral regions in a file of *.rg extension. Clears the table and removes the selected regions in the Data View Panel Renishaw CCD Tab The Andor CCD tab (Fig ) contains controls for adjusting the recording channels of the spectral unit. Functions panel Device parameters adjustment panel Table of selected spectral regions Table of functions assigned to the selected spectral regions Spectrum view panel Toolbar Fig Renishaw CCD tab 1-155

156 NOVA. SPM Control Program Toolbar Controls of the Toolbar (Fig ) serve for adjusting operation modes of the CCD camera and for selecting imaging modes of the Data View Panel. Fig Toolbar Table Controls of the Toolbar Live Mode Single Scan Pixels Selects continuous recording of the CCD matrix signal. Selects single recording of the CCD matrix signal. Selects measurement units in the Data View Panel: if selected, the units are pixels of the CCD camera; if deselected, the units are taken from the Measurement Settings window. Other buttons in the Toolbar are standard. Refer to chapter 9 Data on page 1-31 for explanations. The set of the standard toolbar buttons is added with the button for selecting a spectrum region. Selecting a number of spectrum regions is performed with the <Ctrl> key pressed Device Parameters Adjustment Panel The Device parameters adjustment table (Fig ) contains controls for adjusting and calibrating the spectrometer and the CCD matrix. Fig Device parameters adjustment panel 1-156

157 Chapter 21. Spectra Tab Use Renishaw CCD for scanning Table Controls of the Device parameters adjustment panel The checkbox is unavailable if only one detector is installed in the instrument. If selected, the Renishaw CCD camera is enabled for operation. Use trigger mode If selected, data from the Renishaw spectrometer are displayed. Override podule position Laser power Shutter State Full Spectrum Recording Measurement Settings Defines the direction of the laser beam on exit of the Renishaw spectrometer. The option should be selected if scanning uses the system Upright or Inverted. The option should be deselected if scanning uses the Renishaw system. Laser beam power entering the system (in percentage). Switch of the shutter state for the selected laser: Opened the shutter opens; Closed the shutter closes; Indeterminated the spectrometer is unavailable. If selected, the full spectrum is collected at every scan point. If the checkbox Save Full Spectrum separately is selected, the scan data are saved in a separate file; otherwise, the scan data are appended to the current file as a separate frame in the Data tab. The collected data can be later analyzed in the Frame Review and Editing Panel of the Data tab (see sec on page 1-69). Opens the Spectral acquisition setup. Spectral acquisition setup dialog The Spectral acquisition setup dialog serves for adjusting the Renishaw spectrometer. The dialog contains the following tabs: Range, Acquisition, File, Timing, Temperature, Focus Track, Advanced

158 NOVA. SPM Control Program Fig Spectral acquisition setup dialog box Range tab The Range tab (Fig ) contains parameters to control the spectrometer configuration. - Grating scan type selects the mode of scanning by the the diffraction grating: - Static by the static grating; - Extended used only in the Wire 3.0 program. - Spectrum Range defines the spectrum range: - Low lower limit of the spectrum range; - Centre midpoint of the spectrum range; - High upper limit of the spectrum range; - List of available measurement units of the spectrum range. - Confocality selects the confocality parameters: - Standard spectrometer slit size 100 m; - High spectrometer slit size 25 m. - Configuration lists adjustments of the spectrometer: - Laser name selects the laser source; - Grating name selects the diffraction grating; - Detector name selects the current radiation detector

159 Chapter 21. Spectra Tab Acquisition tab The Acquisition tab (Fig ) contains controls to adjust signal acquisition parameters. Fig Acquisition tab - Exposure time/s defines the exposure time in seconds. - Accumulations defines number of cycles of multiple exposure of the CCD matrix. - Objective selects the type of the desired objective. - Laser power/% defines the laser beam power (in percentage). - Cosmic ray removal if selected, correction for effects due to cosmic rays is appled. - Response calibration if selected, the spectral range of the CCD camera is calibrated for sensitivity. - Restore instrument state on completion if selected, the preset adjustments of the spectrometer are restored on completion of measurements. - Minimize laser exposure on sample if selected, time the sample is exposed to laser radiation is minimized. The tabs File, Timing, Temperature, Focus Track, and Advanced are not used in this version of the Nova program. Procedures defined on those tabs are called from the Renishaw Wire control program

160 NOVA. SPM Control Program Spectrum View Panel The Spectrum View Panel displays the spectrum (Fig ) collected by the CCD camera. Fig Spectrum of the CCD matrix collected signal Panels for Operation with Selected Spectral Regions Regions Table After a spectrum region is selected in the Data View panel its parameters are appended to the Regions table (Fig ). If necessary, parameters of the selected regions as well as the user defined functions can be saved in a file of *.rg extension. Fig Regions table The Regions table contains the following information in its columns on the selected spectral regions: Ordinal number of a selected spectral region. Units Measurement units. Left, Right Minimum and maximum limits of a selected spectral region. Sub1, Sub2 Backgrounds to subtract in the selected spectral region

161 Chapter 21. Spectra Tab The top of the Regions table contains a toolbar for file operations with information on selected spectral regions: Load Save Delete Loads a set of spectral regions from a file of *.rg extension. Saves selected spectral regions in a file of *.rg extension. Clears the table and removes the selected regions from the Spectrum Viewing Panel. Functions Panel The Functions panel (Fig ) contains a list of functions that can be assigned to a particular selected spectral region of the Regions table. Fig Functions panel Table List of available functions Maximum Value Maximum Position Average Value Mass Centre Value Mass Centre Position Skewness Value FWHM Subtract Maximum value. Position of the maximum in the given coordinates. Average value. Value at the mass center. Position of the mass center in the given coordinates. Characteristics of asymmetry. Full width at half maximum. Option to subtract background from the spectrum

162 NOVA. SPM Control Program Functions Table The list of the assigned functions is given in the Functions table (Fig ). If necessary, parameters of the selected regions as well as the user assigned functions can be saved in a file of *.rg extension. Fig Functions table The table contains the following information on all user calculated characteristics of the selected spectral regions: Ordinal number of a function. Region Sub Function FuncUnits Title Ordinal number of selected spectral regions. Label on subtracting of the background. Name of an assigned function. Measurement units. Description. The top of the Functions table contains a toolbar for file operations with information on selected spectral regions: Load Save Delete Loads a set of spectral regions from a file of *.rg extension Saves selected spectral regions in a file of *.rg extension Clears the table and removes the selected regions in the Spectrum Viewing Panel 1-162

163 Chapter 21. Spectra Tab Scan Tab The Scan tab (Fig ) is designed to adjust the scanning parameters and to control the sample scanning process. If two controllers are present in the device configuration, two identical tabs Scan (Master) and Scan (Slave) appear in the program, with opening the second Nova program window for adjusting the second controller. The second copy of the program is located in the Secondary subfolder of the Nova folder. Files with information on parameters and configuration for operation with the second controller are located in corresponding subfolders. The Scan (Master) tab operates with the primary controller while the Scan (Slave) tab operates with the second one. Control panel of the Scan tab 1D Scan Data View panel 2D Scan Data View panel Fig Scan tab 1-163

164 NOVA. SPM Control Program Control Panel of the Scan Tab Controls of the scanning process are located in the Control panel of the Scan tab (Fig ). Fig Control panel of the Scan tab Table Controls of the Control panel of the Scan tab Starts/stops the scanning process Appearance of the button changes at the moment of start/stop of the scanning process. Enables the 3D scanning mode. If pressed in, adjusting controls of the third direction are available. Selects directions of the fast and slow scanning directions (for modes of 2D and 3D scanning). Selects the parameter defining the scan area sizes: Point Number number of points to perform measurements; Scan Size linear sizes of the scan area; Step Size scanning step (distance between two subsequent points in the scan) NOTE. The parameters Point Number, Scan Size, and Step Size are related under modification as follows: Point Number: Scan Size changes; Step Size keeps the same. Scan Size: Step Size changes; Point Number keeps the same. Step Size: Scan Size changes; Point Number keeps the same

165 Chapter 21. Spectra Tab Live Mode Single Scan Starts a nonstop recording by the CCD matrix. Starts a single recording by the CCD matrix. Selects the scan area in terms of the defining parameter: Point Number number of points along axes X, Y and Z; Scan Size sizes along axes X, Y and Z in predefined measurement units; Step Size size of a scanning step in predefined measurement units If pressed in, the number of points along every axis is rounded to the closest exponent of two. The button is available if the Point Number option is selected for setting the scan area sizes Selects proportions of the scan area: Square forces the square shape of the scan area under modification of sizes; Proportional keeps the proportion of two sizes constant under modification of sizes; Arbitrary allows for arbitrary proportion of two sizes of the rectangular scan area; Fixed Size keeps sizes of the scan area constant under modification of the parameters Point Number и Step Size Selects available signals in the list to be recorded in the course of scanning Scan time in a point 1-165

166 NOVA. SPM Control Program D Scan Data View Panels The spectrum view panel (Fig ) displays the spectrum of the CCD matrix collected signal in the current point of scanning. Fig Spectrum view panel The signal viewing panel (Fig ) displays the signal collected in the last completed line of the scan. Fig Signal viewing panel D Scan Data View Panel The 2D Scan Data View panel (Fig ) can be used in selecting the scan area before scanning. In the course of scanning, the scan image is displayed in the viewing area of the panel in line-by-line manner. Fig D Scan Data View Panel The top of the 2D Data View panel contains a toolbar

167 Chapter 21. Spectra Tab A scanning frame in the displaying in the viewing area. frames list of the toolbar can be selected for Other buttons of the toolbar are discussed at length in i D Scanning Data View Panel on page In the 3D scanning mode, the right-hand side of the panel is supplied with the Z scale. The scan range in the Z direction is adjusted with triangles that point upward and downward (Fig ). Clicking the Current Z Value button opens a slider (Fig ) that displays the current position of the objective focus. This slider facilitates repositioning of the objective by moving its focus along the Z direction

168 NOVA. SPM Control Program 22. Scheme Tab Scheme tab is located in the Additional Operations Area accessible by pressing the button. The tab opens with the button. Appearance of Scheme tab is shown in Fig Feedback loop panel Detectors panel Voltage supply panel Generators panel Interactive block scheme Fig Scheme tab Scheme tab (see Fig. 22-1) contains the following: - Interactive Block Scheme (i on p ); - Feedback Loop Panel (i on p ); - Detectors Panel (i on p ); - Generator Panel (i on p ); - Voltage Supply Panel (i on p )

169 Chapter 22. Scheme Tab Interactive Block Scheme Appearance of the interactive block scheme is determined by the type of the controller. Hereafter the block scheme of controllers of types P8 and P7 is described. NOTE. Information on the controller type is available through the item Settings Device Info of the main menu. The controller type is displayed in the line Electronics. The interactive block scheme facilitates user-friendly configuring of the controller in interactive mode. One should bear in mind that all commutation in the controller is executed automatically if the measurement is carried through a standard measurement technique instrumented by the program Nova. Appearance of the block scheme may alter with the equipment configuration as well as with sort of the measurement technique. Block scheme of the controller of type P8 (models BL222RNTF, BL222NNTF, BL022MTM, and BL022VRM) Fig Appearance of the interactive block scheme of the controller of type P8 Table Controls of the block scheme Button of switching the laser on/off. The button duplicates the button located on the Main Parameters Panel. Activates the option of measuring current between the probe and the sample. This option is employed in working with scanning measuring heads Smena

170 NOVA. SPM Control Program Buttons of scanner sections control. When clicked, the button emits a slider to define the distance the scanner is to move along the corresponding axis. NOTE. The scanner will not respond to displacement of the Z-slider if the Z feedback is on i.e. the button on the Main Parameters Panel is pressed. Switch controlling voltage supply to the sample: - if the switch is up, the sample is applied to voltage. - if the switch is down, the sample is grounded. Switch controlling voltage supply to the probe: - if the switch is up, the probe is applied to voltage. - if the switch is in the middle position, the probe is applied to the voltage from the external input (Ex5); - if the switch is down, the probe is grounded. Switch commuting the feedback output either to the Z-section of the scanner (left position of the switch) or to the summator of voltages (right position of the switch). Controlling of the Z-section of the scanner is employed at investigation of the landscape of the sample surface. Controlling of the constant component of the voltage between the probe and the sample through the feedback output is employed in Kelvin Probe Microscopy. Switch commuting signals entering the detector: - Ex1 signal from the external input of the device; - DFL signal proportional to the deflection of the cantilever on the normal - LF signal proportional to the torsion deflection of the cantilever; - Ipr current between the probe and the sample

171 Chapter 22. Scheme Tab Switch managing the voltage supply from the generator to one of the following receiver: - the summator where it is summed with the constant voltage Bias V. Then the voltage of shape Vdc Vac sin( t 0 ) is applied between the probe and the sample; - the piezodriver of the probe holder. Employed in modulation techniques which need mechanical build-up of the cantilever oscillation; - piezoscanner X-section; - piezoscanner Y-section; - piezoscanner Z-section; - Ex6 external output; - Off the generator is off. Block scheme of the controller of type P7 (models BL022MT, BL022SMT) Fig Appearance of the interactive block scheme of the controller of type P7 Table Controls of the block scheme Button of switching the laser on/off. The button duplicates the button located on the Main Parameters Panel. Activates the option of measuring current between the probe and the sample. This option is employed in working with scanning measuring heads Smena

172 NOVA. SPM Control Program Buttons of scanner sections control. When clicked, the button emits a slider to define the distance the scanner is to move along the corresponding axis. NOTE. The scanner will not respond to displacement of the Z-slider if the Z feedback is on i.e. the button on the Main Parameters Panel is pressed. Switch controlling voltage supply to the sample: - if the switch is up, the sample is applied to voltage; - if the switch is in the middle position, the sample is applied to the voltage from the external input (Ex5); - if the switch is down, the sample is grounded. Switch controlling voltage supply to the probe: - if the switch is up, the probe is applied to voltage; - if the switch is down, the probe is grounded. Switch commuting the feedback output either to the Z-section of the scanner (left position of the switch) or to the summator of voltages (right position of the switch). Controlling of the Z-section of the scanner is employed at investigation of the landscape of the sample surface. Controlling of the constant component of the voltage between the probe and the sample through the feedback output is employed in Kelvin Probe Microscopy. Switch commuting signals entering the detector: - Ex1 signal from the external input of the device; - DFL signal proportional to the deflection of the cantilever on the normal - Ipr current between the probe and the sample. Switch managing the voltage supply from the generator to one of the following receiver: - the summator where it is summed with the constant voltage Bias V. Then the voltage of shape Vdc Vac sin( t 0 ) is applied between the probe and the sample; - the piezodriver of the probe holder. Employed in modulation techniques which need mechanical build-up of the cantilever oscillation; - Z - piezoscanner Z-section; - Ex6 external output; - Off the generator is off

173 Chapter 22. Scheme Tab Feedback Loop Panel Feedback panel (see Fig. 22-4) is located at the top of Scheme tab. Fig Feedback panel Switch the feedback loop on/off. Clicking the button with the right to appear: Table Description of controls of FeedBack panel mouse button causes the context menu Off disconnect the feedback loop. If checked the Z-scanner is drawn completely in; On close the feedback loop. If checked the scanner is drawn out thus much as the signal on the input of the feedback loop corresponds to the assigned value Set Point. Save the feedback is open while the position of the scanner is locked at its latest value. Sign select the sign of the feedback (+/-). Input Input signal of the feedback loop. Variety of available signals in the list is determined by the controller configuration defined in the Main Parameters Panel. Gain Set Point Gain of the feedback loop Text box of the parameter Set Point. In the course of operation the feedback loop keeps the value of its input signal equal to the value of the parameter Set Point. This text box is duplicated on the Main Parameters Panel at the top of the program window

174 NOVA. SPM Control Program Regarding the measurement technique in use, the following signal can be applied to the input of the feedback: DFL Mag Ipr low RMS Ipr log Mag*Sin Mag*Cos Tune Fork Ext1, Ext2 signal proportional to the deflection of the cantilever on the normal. the signal from synchronous detector output proportional to the amplitude of synchronous detector input signal. For semicontact technique Mag signal is proportional to cantilever vibration amplitude. signal proportional to the value of the tunnel current running between the probe and the sample if the probe is either STM or conductive type. This signal is used for keeping of the feedback at the sample approaching in STM techniques. As well, this signal is recommended to apply for scanning in STM techniques of weakly conducting samples with the tunnel current ranging in na; the signal from RMS-detectomethod. output proportioned to the amplitude of the input RMS-detector signal measured using root-mean-square deviation signal proportional to logarithm of the value of the tunnel current running through the probe. It is recommended for application of STM-techniques to highly conductive samples, with values of the current between the STM-probe and the sample being about 1 5 na. In those cases usage of the signal Ipr log provides stable operation of the feedback loop; the signal proportioned to variable signal amplitude on modulation frequency multiplied by the sine of phase shift of the synchronous detector input signal in relation to reference signal. This signal comes from the synchronous detector output. the signal proportioned to variable signal amplitude on modulation frequency multiplied by the cosine of phase shift of the synchronous detector input signal in relation to reference signal. This signal comes from the synchronous detector output. the signal from the synchronous detector output proportioned to the probe vibration amplitude. signals from external inputs Detectors Panel The controller contains detectors of three types: - Synchronous detector - Phase detector - RMS detector

175 Chapter 22. Scheme Tab A particular type of the detector to be used for recording of the signal is determined by the sort of the measurement technique. Selection of the detector to be used for recording of the signal is facilitated with the list box at the top of the detectors panel (Fig. 22-5). Fig Selection of the detector Appearance of the detectors panel is determined by the type of the detector selected. Selection of the detector. Lock-In synchronous detector; RMS RMS-detector; Phase phase detector. Table Description of the detectors panel Low Pass LF filter cutoff frequency. This filter is used to reduce high frequency noise. The signals with the modulation frequency that exceeds the value defined in the Low Pass field will be cut off. ATTENTION! Even useful signal may be cut off if cutoff frequency has low value. Gain Gain of synchronous detector that is changed within the range Gain should be adjusted when using, for example, semicontact technique to get the required level of synchronous detector output signal. Harm Preamplifier Pass Band Number of harmonics on which the signal is detected. Synchronous detector allows working with the first nine harmonics of input signal. Most of the methods use detection on the first harmonics. Excluded are capacitance modes where the second or the third harmonics are used. Multiplier that defines preamplification ratio of the signal supplied to the detector input. List of frequency bandwidths of the detected signal. The list of the frequency bandwidths of the detected signal is unavailable for controllers of type P8 (models BL222RNTF, BL222NNTF, BL022MTM, and BL022VRM)

176 NOVA. SPM Control Program Generator Panel Fig Generator panel Table Description of the generator panel Generator Freq Amp Phase Selection of the generator. The list is available in special device configurations. Frequency of generator output signal. Amplitude of output generator signal. Amplitude variation range is 0 1 V. multiplier that allows 10 times increase or decrease of output voltage from generator. Phase shift between generator output signal and reference signal Voltage Supply Panel When operating on AFM and STM techniques, the text box is assigned the constant voltage component Bias Voltage to apply between the probe and the sample. When operating on SNOM technique, the text box is assigned the voltage applied to the photomultiplier tube. ATTENTION! The voltage Bias Voltage is applied both to the probe and to the contact BV of the base unit NTEGRA. So, the jack BV must not be used for grounding of the sample

177 Chapter 23. Video Tab 23. Video Tab Video tab (Fig. 23-1) is located in the Auxiliary Operations Area that is accessible through the button. The tab opens with the button. The video panel serves to capture images from a video camera and to record the image in a data file of AVI format if necessary/ NOTE. Depending on the instrument configuration, the Control Program may contain the tabs HV Stage, XY Stage and RL Stage which are also equipped with video panels. Thus, two images can be captured and recorded from two different video cameras. Fig Video tab Recorded images can be later viewed with a suitable viewer application on the user s computer. ATTENTION! The video panel is designed to operate with the TV Tuner AVerTV or ASUS AGP-V7700 Deluxe video card. If a video card of another type is used, proper functioning of the video panel is questionable. Control panel on capturing and recording images is at the top of the Video tab. Control Record Stop Table Controls of the Control Panel Description Starts recording the image in a file of *.avi extension. Stops viewing or recording the image

178 NOVA. SPM Control Program Preview ScreenShot FrameShot Select device Property Codec Settings Displays the image from the selected video camera. Captures and automatically saves the image from the video camera including all additional features. Captures and automatically saves a graphical frame from the video camera. Selects a video camera. The list of available devices opens with clicking the button. Provides parameters of the selected codec, of the selected video camera, and of the image it generates. The specific set of parameters depends on the selected video camera. Using the manual on the selected video camera, define the suitable video format and the video card hardware interface in the corresponding fields of the unfolded parameters list. Selects a codec to compress the image in the recording process. Adjusts parameters of the image. Clicking the button opens the Settings dialog (Fig. 23-2) controls of which are explained in Table Settings dialog Settings dialog (Fig. 23-2) contains the Captured files panel to adjust properties of files serving for recording images and the Picture panel to adjust appearance of additional features of the video panel

179 Chapter 23. Video Tab Fig Settings dialog Table Controls of the Settings dialog Captured files Directory Names type File names Picture The panel defines properties of files for recording images Defines the folder where the image files will be saved. Selects the file name format. The file name includes information that depends on what checkbox is selected: Date Time date and time the image is saved; Time time the image is saved; Number ordinal number that succeeds the largest existing number; Static unchangeable name of image files. With this file name format, existing image files will be overwritten by later ones. Displays file names (according to the selected file name format) of three different image types that are available in the program: Video video image in AVI format; Bitmap current image from the video camera (in BMP format); Frame current image with additional features (in BMP format). The panel contains checkboxes that activate displaying the following additional features of the image: Draw sight frame in the image center; Draw guide line crosshair (shaped by two perpendicular straight segments); Write current time current time (shown when viewing the video camera image); Write record time timer (shown when recording the image); Transparent if selected, additional features of the image are displayed semitransparent

180 NOVA. SPM Control Program The Control panel is duplicated in the Context menu (Fig 23-3) that opens with the secondary mouse button click inside the video panel. Fig Context menu Besides, the Context menu provides two more commands for resizing the image: Stretch to window stretching/shrinking the video image with resizing the embedding window. The image sizes are kept proportional to those of the window. Actual size 100% holding the image sizes when enlarging the embedding window. When the window is shrinking, the Stretch to window mode is enabled automatically. Collecting and recording the image 1. Select a video camera from the list of available devices that opens with clicking the button. 2. Click the button to open the Settings dialog. Define the folder to save image files. By default, data files are saved in the program folder C:\Program Files\NT-MDT\Nova. In the Picture panel, select the desired checkboxes. Click the Apply button to enable your choices and to close the dialog. 3. Press either the button (to display the image in the video panel) or the button (to record the image ). NOTE. In the viewing mode, recording is unavailable. Viewing should be stopped before recording the image starts. To stop viewing/recording the image, click the button

181 Chapter 24. Closed Loop Tab 24. Closed Loop Tab Closed Loop tab is located in the Additional operations Area accessible through the button. The tab opens with the button. Fig Closed Loop tab Closed Loop tab is designed for state monitoring and adjusting of the variable-capacitance displacement sensors. It is employed in operations by scanners with built-in displacement sensors as well as with the equivalent of the scanner. ATTENTION! The probe should be remote from the sample when adjusting the variable-capacitance sensors. Closed Loop tab is available in the program if SensorsConnected=1 setting is made in //Additional Parameters section of the par file (consult the Appendix, i. Par file on page 1-217). Table Controls of Closed Loop tab Pressing of this tab closes the feedback loop on X, Y Scanner Activation of the program correction of non-linearity of the scanner displacements. If the scanner contains no displacement sensor, non-linearity of the scanner piezoceramics is corrected. If displacement sensors are contained by the used scanner, nonlinearity of the sensors is corrected. Control panel of X,Y,Z sections of the scanner 1-181

182 NOVA. SPM Control Program Saw-tooth Application of saw-tooth shaped voltage to a particular (X, Y, Move Sensor Auto Adjustment or Z) section of the scanner. Pressing a button for a particular section of the scanner causes this section to be applied to saw-tooth shaped voltage. Control of the scanner sections. Pressing a button for a particular section calls a slider to define the scanner position on a corresponding axis. Auto adjustment panel of the displacement sensors. Checking of boxes X, Y, Z prescribes the scanner sections which sensors are to be auto adjusted. Starts auto adjustment of the displacement sensors Sensor Parameters Band Offset Phase Scale ExFreq Gain Parameters panel of the variable-capacitance displacement sensors. Values of the parameters are loaded either from the file of the scanner parameters at start of the control program or at loading of the par-file. Then they vary in the process of auto adjustment of the sensors. Being adjusted, values of the parameters are chosen so that the signal from a sensor varies in a prescribed range. Defines the bandwidth of the signal from a sensor. Acts as a low-pass filter of the first order. Biases the range of the sensor signal variation either to positive or negative domain. Values are preset by the manufacturer for your particular device. Do not change them if you are not sure of your expertise. Defines the range of variation of the sensor signal at given alteration limits of the gap between the capacitor plates. Values are preset by the manufacturer for your particular device. Do not change them if you are not sure of your expertise. Feedback gain coefficient Values of the scanner calibration parameters are saved in a file of extension *.par (hereafter named par-file). The description of the par-file is given in the Appendix (i. Par file on page 1-217)

183 Chapter 25. Thermo 150 C Tab 25. Thermo 150 C Tab Thermo 150 C tab is designed for operation with heating stages of models SU003, SU043. Thermo 150 C tab is located in the Additional Operations Area accessible through the button. The tab opens with the button. Control panel Viewing area of the temperature graph Fig Thermo 150 C tab The toolbar of the viewing area of the temperature graph contains the standard collection of buttons of one-dimensional data view panel. The description of the collection is given in i One-dimensional Data View on page Table Components of the control panel Text box for assignment of the working temperature Current temperature Opens Thermo150 Settings dialog box for calibration of the temperature sensor (see Fig. 25-2) 1-183

184 NOVA. SPM Control Program Fig Thermo150 Settings dialog box Table Controls of Thermo150 Settings dialog box Kr, Ko Gain Power OK Cancel Calibration coefficients of the temperature sensor: - Ko absolute shift. Ko is taken so that the current temperature T equals the external one measured with an independent thermometer; - Kr slope of the calibration curve Gain coefficient of the feedback Actual power of the heating element of the heating stage (in percentage of its maximum) Save parameters values of the temperature mode in Thermo150.ini file and close Thermo150 Settings box Close Thermo150 Settings dialog box ignoring changes The sample temperature is measured with a thermocouple temperature sensor. Relation between the sensor voltage and the temperature is expressed by the formula: U=Ko+Kr*T where U the sensor voltage; Ko, Kr calibration coefficients; T temperature. ATTENTION! Calibration of the temperature sensor was performed by experts. Do not modify the calibration coefficients if you are not sure of your expertise

185 Chapter 26. Thermostat Tab 26. Thermostat Tab Thermostat tab is located in the Additional Operations Area accessible through the button. The tab opens with the button. Control panel Viewing area of the temperature graph Fig Thermostat tab Thermostat tab is designed for operation with heating stages of models SU045NTF, SU005NTF, liquid cells of models MP4LCNTF, MP5LCNTF, MP6LCNTF, thermo measurement units of models SCC09NTF, SCC08NTF, a sample thermo stating system of the model CF003. In the working area graphs of temperature data are viewed. The toolbar of the viewing area of the temperature graph contains the standard collection of buttons of one-dimensional data view panel. The description of the collection is given in i One-dimensional Data View on page

186 NOVA. SPM Control Program Table Components of the control panel of Thermostat tab Activating of the sample heating/cooling. The button changes its appearance against its state: - heating/cooling of the sample is off (the button isn t pressed in) - heating/cooling of the sample is on (the button is pressed in) T= Assignment of the working temperature. The prescribed temperature is to be maintained in the course of the operation. T1, T2 Current value of the temperature - T1 temperature of the sample - T2 temperature of the trap. The liquid cell of the model MP6LCNTF provides an option of controlling the temperature of the cooled traps of water vapors (the sensor is placed in one of the traps). Heater Power Current level of power of the thermo device. Device List of available thermo devices. Variety of available thermo devices is determined by the control program configuration. Opens Thermo Settings dialog box (Fig. 26-2) where parameters of reaching of the desired temperature are assigned. Trap Power Power of the water vapors traps (for the liquid cell of the model MP6LCNTF). Automatic maintaining of the traps temperature is not available. The cooling temperature is controlled manually by setting the traps power

187 Chapter 26. Thermostat Tab Thermo Settings dialog box Thermo Settings box defines parameters controlling the mode of approaching of the sample temperature to its prescribed value. Fig Thermo Settings dialog box Table Controls of Thermo Settings dialog box P I D Response Time Curve Type Proportional coefficient of the feedback loop Integral coefficient of the feedback loop Differential coefficient of the feedback loop Time the assigned temperature is to be reached Type of the transient curve: - Linear linear; - Square quadratic. Sets values of the temperature mode parameters to their defaults Saves assigned values of the parameters in Thermostat.ini file (folder Ini of the Nova root catalogue) and closes Thermo Settings dialog box Closes Thermo Settings dialog box ignoring modifications ATTENTION! The coefficients P, I, D are not recommended to change by those who are not sure of their expertise

188 NOVA. SPM Control Program 27. Magnet Tab Magnet tab is located in the Additional Operations Area accessible through the button. The tab opens with the button. Control panel Magnetic field graph panel Fig Magnet tab Magnet tab is designed for operation with the magnetic field generator of models EMF05NTF, EMF06NTF, EMF01, and EMF

189 Chapter 27. Magnet Tab Table Components of the panel of controlling of the magnetic field generator Activates components of controlling of the magnetic field generator. NOTE. The button is inactive if the power supply of the magnetic field generator is off. Range The text box is entered the required value either of the magnetic field or of current in the electromagnet coils. Double mouse click in the text box calls a slider that facilitates adjustment of the field magnitude. Closes the feedback loop that maintains the assigned magnitude of magnetic field. List of the electromagnet operation modes. - Cl-loop the assigned magnitude of magnetic field is obtained with the use of the feedback that maintains the electromagnet current to be of the program prescribed level, with readings from the built-in Hall sensor being employed. - Op-loop operation without the feedback being employed. In this case, the electromagnet current is assigned while the magnetic field magnitude is monitored with the oscilloscope. - Test mode is used for calibration purposes. Dependence of the magnetic field magnitude on the electromagnet current is viewed with the oscilloscope. Opens Magnet Settings dialog box (see Fig. 27-2) where settings of the magnet are assigned. Magnet Settings dialog box 1-189

190 NOVA. SPM Control Program Fig Magnet Settings dialog box Variety of active controls as well as values text boxes of Magnet Settings dialog box is determined by the operation mode selected in Range list. Table Controls of Magnet Settings dialog box Bias( Gauss) Scale (Gauss/A) Feed back sign Sweep current (A) Control signal Calibration coefficient defining bias of the calibration curve relative to zero Calibration coefficient defining slope of the calibration curve Sign of the feedback Sweep range by current List of the controllable signals When operating with the feedback open (value of the Range is op-loop), Control signal field provides an option to select a signal level of which is varied to obtain the desired magnitude of the magnetic field. As the controllable signal one may choose the magnetic field magnitude (Field) or current in the electromagnet coils (Current). View signal OK Cancel Signal viewed on the oscilloscope Saves modifications to Magnet.ini file and closes the dialog box. Closes the dialog box with all modifications being ignored The toolbar of the Magnetic field graph panel contains the standard collection of buttons of one-dimensional data view panel. The description of the collection is given in i One-dimensional Data View on page

191 Chapter 28. ElectroChemistry Tab 28. ElectroChemistry Tab ElectroChemistry tab (Fig. 28-1) is employed in operations with electrochemical cells. ElectroChemistry tab is located in the Additional Operations Area accessible through the button. The tab opens with the button. Control panel Fig ElectroChemistry tab 1-191

192 NOVA. SPM Control Program Control Panel Table Components of the control panel of the bipotentiostat Switching of the bipotentiostat on/off. Off the bipotentiostat is off; On the bipotentiostat is on. Turning the bipotentiostat on is followed by loading of the bipotentiostat calibration parameters from BiPot.cfc file. Switches modes of the bipotentiostat operation. Two states are available: Potentiostat / Galvanostat. Options of the bipotentiostat operation: - Cell with a real cell kom, 20 kom, 1 MOm with one of three equivalent resistors. Equivalent resistors are used at calibration of the bipotentiostat or at operation with an equivalent of solution. Applying potential to the sample: Smpl ON the sample can be applied to potential Smpl OFF applying potential to the sample is impossible. Measurement range of the working current Applying potential to the probe: Tip ON the probe can be applied to potential Tip OFF applying potential to the probe is impossible. Frequency of potentials digitizing FB save Prg. Handing If checked, the feedback gets broken but Z position of the scanner remains the same. The scanner stays at the position it was before transition to the mode FB save. Load of bipotentiostat calibration parameters. Clicking the button opens the dialog box for locating and loading of a required file. Opens Bi Potentiostat Calibration dialog box (see Fig. 28-2) that assists to calibrate the bipotentiostat Control panel of programmable operations 1-192

193 Chapter 28. ElectroChemistry Tab Run Loaded Program Stop Program Increase Cycling Step Decrease Cycling Step Stop Cycling Next Program Step Steady State Smpl E Tip E by click Predefined values Apply value Increase value Decrease value Measured values Smpl E Smpl I Tip E Tip I Start the program loaded to the bipotentiostat Stop running the program Increment the total of executed steps in the cycle by one Decrement the total of executed steps in the cycle by one Stop the cycle Go to the next step of the program. Potentials assignment panel Potential applied to the sample Potential applied to the probe Sets potential values assigned in the fields Smpl E и Tip E as working If checked, newly assigned values of the potentials Smpl E и Tip E are employed only after pressing the button. Adjustment panel of the potentials alteration step The text boxes are assigned to the alteration step of the potentials being set on Steady state panel By pressing the button, value to the left from it is assigned to a corresponding potential in Steady State panel By pressing buttons, value of Smpl E (or Tip E) in Steady State panel changes (incremented with or decremented with ) by amount given in a corresponding text box. Selection of an object, potential of which is to be changed with pressing buttons,. Cell E change the sample potential. Tip E change the probe potential. Measured quantities view panel The sample potential Current running through the sample The probe potential Current running through the probe 1-193

194 NOVA. SPM Control Program Bi Potentiostat Calibration Dialog Box Bi Potentiostat Calibration dialog box is designed for bipotentiostat calibration. Fig Bi Potentiostat Calibration dialog box In the course of calibration, the calibrated parameters are selected from the opening list at the top of the dialog box. Calibration of each of the parameters is supported with viewing of commutation of the preamplifier and the voltmeter required for calibration. Actual values of the calibrated parameters are typed in the text box. Table Controls of Bi Potentiostat Calibration dialog box List of the calibrated parameters Text box of viewing of the potential level to be applied from the bipotentiostat to a particular object, e.g. to the sample. In the calibration mode, this field is entered with an actual potential value taken with the voltmeter instead of the viewed value. NOTE. Voltmeter readings can be typed regardless of their sign. START Break Save Go to the next step of calibration Interrupt the command of the current calibration step Saving the bipotentiostat calibration parameters as a particular file of extension *.cfc. Clicking this button calls a dialog box to specify the path and the name of the file

195 Chapter 28. ElectroChemistry Tab Load Loading the bipotentiostat calibration parameters from a file of extension *.cfc. Clicking the button calls a dialog box to specify the required file. NOTE. When operating with the bipotentiostat, the file Bipot.cfc is loaded by default Cycling Tab Cycling tab is designed for setting of parameters of cycling of the potential applied to the probe or to the sample. Fig Cycling tab In cycling mode, the sample/probe is applied to voltage cyclically altering first in the range from Cycle From to Cycle To, and then in the range from Cycle To to Cycle From. Table Controls of the tab Cycling Cycle From Cycle To Cycle Rate Initial value of the cycled potential in mv. Limiting value of the cycled potential in mv. Rate of potential cycling in mv/sec. List of objects for cycling potential: - No Cycling no cycling applied. - Cycling on Smpl cycling is applied to the sample potential. - Cycling on Tip cycling is applied to the probe potential. Starts cycling Stops cycling 1-195

196 NOVA. SPM Control Program Program Tab Program tab is designed for programming of series of alterations of the current or the potential. Fig Program tab A program consists of units called steps. Each step is a sequence of two substeps. Programming means definition of the total of distinct steps and of parameters of particular substeps. There is an option for one or several consequent steps to get cycled. Table Controls of Program tab Step Number Ordinal of a program step. Maximum total of steps is 10. Each step consists of two substeps with parameters being defined in the Step Parameters panel Preview Program On Graph Load Program To Bipotentiostat Step Parameters Preview of the programmed alterations. Clicking the button results in viewing the graph of current/potential alteration in the Graph tab load the program to the bipotentiostat Panel of program steps parameters. Each step as assigned with a particular set of parameters. Val 1 Value of the current/voltage on completion of the first substep of a particular step 1-196

197 Chapter 28. ElectroChemistry Tab dval 1 Speed1 Val 2 dval 2 Speed2 T 1 dt 1 T 2 dt 2 Repeat Count Increment of the Val 1 parameter for one period if the total of periods Repeat Count is greater than one Initial speed Value of the current/voltage on completion of the second substep of a particular step Increment of the parameter Val 2 for one period if the total of periods Repeat Count is greater than one Final speed Execution time of the first substep of a particular step Increment of the parameter T 1 for one period if the total of periods Repeat Count is greater than one Execution time of the second substep of a particular step Increment of the parameter T 2 for one period if the total of periods Repeat Count is greater than one Total of consecutive repetitions (periods) of a particular of the program Suppress/release application of potential to the sample: Smpl ON the sample can be applied to potential step Smpl OFF application of potential to the voltage is impossible. List of modes of current/potential alteration: Steady current/potential is maintained constant at its initial level for the execution time of a particular step of the program. On completion of this step, the level of current potential is stepwise set to a value assigned for the next step of the program Sweep current/potential alters linearly from its initial to the final value for the execution time of a particular step of the program Mode of the bipotentiostat operation: Potentiostat measuring potential; Galvanostat measuring current. Frequency of potentials digitizing 1-197

198 NOVA. SPM Control Program Maximum level of current through the sample/probe (in absolute value) Program Parameters Start Value Steps Count Repeat Count Program execution parameters panel Initial value of current/potential Total of program steps to execute Repetition count of a particular cycle Suppress/release application of potential to the sample on completion of the program: Smpl Off After End the sample can be applied to potential on completion of the program; Smpl On After End application of potential to the voltage is impossible on completion of the program. Cycling Params First Step Last Step Repeat Count Cycling parameters panel of steps in the program Ordinal of the first step in the cycle Ordinal of the last step in the cycle Repetitions count Example L et s consider an example of a program of cycling alteration of the sample potential on the following rule: the sample potential grows from -110 mv to +110 mv for 7 sec and then lowers down to -110 mv for 3 sec. The cycle is repeated three times. This sequence can be programmed by one step. 1. First define parameters of the potential alteration for one cycle. values (Fig. 28-5): Step Number = 1 Start Value = -110 Val 1 = 110 Val 2 = -110 T 1 = 7 T 2 = 3. Mode of the potential alteration Sweep. Assign the following 1-198

199 Chapter 28. ElectroChemistry Tab Clicking the button Graph tab ( Fig. 28-5). Fig results in displaying the graph of the potential alteration in Fig Define the count of the cycle repetitions: Repeat Count = 3. The potential changes to the shape shown in Fig Fig

200 NOVA. SPM Control Program Consider the previous example suggesting that potential peaks decrease by 30 mv at every subsequent cycle. dval 1 = -30. Fig Fig Graph Tab Fig Graph tab The toolbar of the oscilloscope contains the standard collection of buttons of one-dimensional data view panel. The description of the collection is given in i Software Oscilloscope on page

201 Chapter 28. ElectroChemistry Tab Table Controls of Graph tab Start Periodical Measures Stop Periodical Measures File Position Show List of relations to view: Smpl E(T) relation of the sample potential to time; Smpl I(T) relation of current through the sample to time; Tip E(T) relation of the probe potential to time; Tip I(T) relation of current through the probe to time; Smpl I(E) relation of current through the sample to the sample potential; Tip I(E) relation of current through the probe to the probe potential. Opens Graph Settings dialog box (see Fig ). Graph Settings box provides selection of a file for recording of the measurement history or of a data file for loading. As well, parameters of viewing of the measurement history in a loaded data file are defined in this box. Starts the oscilloscope Stops the oscilloscope Initial point of viewing of the measurement history Show the measurement history starting at the point defined in File Position field. Graph Settings dialog box Graph Settings dialog box is designed for setting of parameters for recording and viewing of the data obtained. Fig Graph Settings dialog box 1-201

202 NOVA. SPM Control Program Table Controls of Graph Settings dialog box Measures period Graph points num Experiment history file Close file Measurement period in ms Total of displayed graph points Specification panel of a file for recording of the measurement history Opens a dialog box where a file for recording of the measured data can be selected or created. Path to the selected file is displayed in the input field. One should notice that a file can collect data of several measurements, with data being accumulated thus increasing the total of points. Size of a file is limited by the capacity of the hard drive only. ATTENTION! As the file for recording of the data is selected, the dialog box should be closed with the button located at the right to corner of the box. Closes the file for recording of the data. The data file is saved on the hard drive and further recording of the data to this file stops

203 Chapter 29. NTEGRA Tomo Tab 29. NTEGRA Tomo Tab To open the NTEGRA Tomo tab follow the instructions below: - Click in the upper-right corner of the program window to open the Additional Operations Area; - In the Additional Operations panel click. Fig NTEGRA Tomo tab Table Elements of the NTEGRA Tomo tab UC6 Ultramicrotome Control panel To AFM Switch to the AFM-measurements state passes the control to the Nova program Switch to the sectioning state. Passes the control to the ultramicrotome controller Lifts up the ultramicrotome arm Lowers the ultramicrotome arm AFM head Frame Stepper Motor Control panel Sets the frame in the sectioning configuration Sets the frame in the AFM-measurement configuration Allows you to enter the number of steps that the stepper motor makes after you press Up/Down

204 NOVA. SPM Control Program Arm Support Arm Support Stepper Motor Control panel Lifts up the arm support Lowers the arm support Allows you to enter the number of steps that the stepper motor makes after you press Up/Down Enable all Click Next to consequently toggle between the AFM-measurement and sectioning stages When selected, all buttons on the NTEGRA Tomo tab become available. When cleared, only the buttons are active that allow you to switch to the next or to the previous step in the sequence of operations performed when you click Next. Ultramicrotome Status bar. - Status the ultramicrotome state before starting the operation; - To AFM Position the ultramicrotome is in the AFMmeasurement configuration (the control is passed to the Nova program); - Top Position the ultramicrotome arm is lifted; - Down Position the ultramicrotome arm is lowered; - Park Position the ultramicrotome is in the sectioning configuration (the control is passed to the ultramicrotome controller). T he sequence of operation performed after you click Next You can switch the ultramicrotome to the sectioning or to the AFM-measurement configuration by two ways: - Directly, using th e control buttons of the NTEGRA Tomo Tab; - By clicking Next that sequentially switches between the AFM-measurement and sectioning stages. T he sequence of operations carried out when you click Next

205 Chapter 29. NTEGRA Tomo Tab Before you start operation the ultramicrotome is in the sectioning configuration. The NTEGRA Tomo tab looks like shown below: Step 1. The ultra microtome controller is switches off. The control passes to the Nova program. The ultramicrotome arm lifts in the measurement position. The NTEGRA Tomo tab looks like shown below: Step 2. The arm support lifts. The NTEGRA Tomo tab looks like shown below: 1-205

206 NOVA. SPM Control Program Step 3. The ultramicrotome arm rests against the stop. The NTEGRA Tomo tab looks like shown below: Step 4. The positioning system sets to the measurement configuration. The NTEGRA Tomo tab looks like shown below: After step 4 the sample surface scan procedure is carried out. Step 5. The positioning system sets in the sectioning position.. The NTEGRA Tomo tab looks like shown below: 1-206

207 Chapter 29. NTEGRA Tomo Tab Step 6. The ultramicrotome arm lifts up. The NTEGRA Tomo tab looks like shown below: Step 7. The arm support lowers. The NTEGRA Tomo tab looks like shown below: Step 8. The control passes to the ultramicrotome controller. The NTEGRA Tomo tab looks like shown below: After step 8 the sectioning procedure is carried out

208 NOVA. SPM Control Program Appendices 1. Configurator 1.1. Functions and Capabilities The configurator is a separate program intended for setting up (configuring) the program Nova interface to operate the instrument set in a particular configuration. The configurator makes the following functions available: - Assistance in working out the correct configuration of the instrument allowing for the limited mutual compatibility of its parts; - Checking on the necessity of the presence of some parts of the ini files; - Calibration of various signals used in measurements; - Alterations of the program Nova interface; - Saving the selected confi guration of the program and the information from the corresponding par and ini files in a single file, in its own format, with the extension *.nvcf Launching and Terminating Operations With the Configurator The configurator is started up before running the program Nova by running the file configurator.exe stored in the folder Nova. Further on, after setting up the program Nova for a particular configuration of the instrument, there is no need to run the configurator again. When launching the program Nova using the standard procedure, it sets the latest used configuration. To terminate operations with the configurator, close the main window. Note that all unsaved data will be lost

209 Appendix 1. Configurator 1.3. Interface description An overall view of the configurator interface is given in Fig Main menu Toolbar Operating area Fig Configurator interface Configurator interface has the following elements: - Main menu; - Toolbar; - Operating area

210 NOVA. SPM Control Program Main Menu The main menu is positioned immediately below the title line. It contains a drop-down menu File ( Fig. 1-2). Fig Drop-down menu File The menu File contains the following commands: - New start operations with the configurator again. All settings made earlier will be removed. - Save As save the current configuration of the program Nova and the information from the corresponding par and ini files in a single file, in its own format, with the extension *.nvcf; - Load load the configuration saved earlier; - Exit terminate operations with the configurator Toolbar The toolbar is positioned under the main menu. Its buttons duplicate the commands of the menu File. Fig Toolbar Table 1-1. Toolbar buttons Cleans all fields of the configurator. All configuration parameters are set anew Loads the configuration saved earlier Saves the selected configuration of the program and the information from the corresponding par and ini files in a single file, in its own format, with the extension *.nvcf 1-210

211 Appendix 1. Configurator Operating Area The operating area of the configurator contains a list of functional groups of various parts of the instrument. On the left of each groups name there is a list used to select the hardware parts installed at the present moment. When setting up a configuration, the configurat or takes into account the restrictions on the mutual use of some parts of the instrument. Note that the corresponding lists are hidden if none of the parts of this group can be employed in the configuration with the already selected parts. Fig Operating area Components of the instrument can be arranged into the following groups, whose contents can vary depending on the instrument hardware set configuration: - Base Unit base init of the instrument; - Exchangeable Mount exchangeable mounts; - Hold/Scan/Cell devices installed into the exchangeable mount that are used to hold the sample: sample holders/scanners/cells; - Positioner sample positioning devices; - Optional Stage auxiliary devices that are installed into the sample holder; - Optional Part auxiliary equipment; - Measuring Head measuring heads; - Adj Unit alignment stages. In the case when the selected part requires the presence of an additional device (controller, coole r etc), the name of that additional device appears on the right of the parts list. If the additional controller requires the presence of an ini-file, the name of a proper ini-file appears in the text box and the button Browse also appears to perform a search for the required file independently. The bottom part of the operating window has the panel of user s settings User`s options

212 NOVA. SPM Control Program Fig Panel of user s settings The text box PAR file is used to indicate the path to the par-file of the scanner used in operations. The bottom part of the panel User`s options contains switches, whose number can vary depending on the equipment used in operations. The buttons located in the right bottom part of the operating area have the following functions: - Update Configuration update configuration of the program Nova; - Run Nova launch the program Nova Operations With the Configurator Save and Restore the Initial Configuration of the Control Program Before the fir st use of the configurator, the control program Nova has the most complete configuration with the possibility of selecting various techniques and measurement methods. Therefore, before running the configurator for the first time, it is recommended to create an archive of the initial configuration of the program. To create an archive, perform the following : 1. Launch the file defconfig.exe stored in the folder Nova. The dialog box Default Config appears. It contains a request to perform archiving (Fig. 1-6): Fig To create an archive of the program initial configuration, click the button Yes. As a result, the initial configuration is saved as an archive file default.zip. It is possible to restore the initial configuration later

213 Appendix 1. Configurator To restore the initial configuration, perform the following: 1. Launch the file defconfig.exe. The dialog box Default Config appears. It contains a request to restore the default settings of the program: Fig Click the button Yes. As a result, the initial configuration of the program Nova will be restored from the archive default.zip. Once the initial configuration has been restored, launch the program Nova using the file NOVA.exe Creating and Altering Configuration Data During the installation of the instrument, the service engineer creates a database, which includes the parts of the instrument related to that particular installation. The configurator allows the user to select the corresponding parts from the database after their assembly. When creating a configuration, the configurator takes into account the restrictions on the mutual use of some parts of the instrument. To create a new configuration of the program Nova, perform the following: 1. Launch the program configurator.exe. The configurator window arrears (Fig. 1-12). Fig Use the drop-down lists to select those parts of the instrument that are currently being in use. If the selected part requires an ini-file, the configurator verifies its presence in the folder INI. Once such file has been found, the configurator indicates its name. If there is no such file or the user wants to use a different ini-file, another file can be selected by clicking the button Browse

214 NOVA. SPM Control Program If the selected part requires the presence of an additional device, the name of that device will appear on the right in the panel of additional parts. 1. After selecting the last possible parameter in the panel Hardware Set, the message box Configuration complete will appear. Fig Message box on completion of configuring 2. Confirm the selected configuration by clicking OK. 3. Using the button Browse select a par-file in the field PAR file suitable for the scanner (or scanning measuring head) that is being in use. Fig If the configurator cannon determine the values of some parameters on the basis of the existing configuration of the instrument, the panel containing switches for selecting the corresponding values will appear. Set the requested value by setting the switch into the position corresponding to the selected value. 5. Save the selected configuration in a file with the extension *.nvcf using the button. NOTE. The file *.nvcf saves the current information from the par- and inifiles. Therefore, if any of the par- or ini-files has been changed, the configuration data should be saved again

215 Appendix 1. Configurator 6. Renew settings of the program Nova by clicking the button Update Configuration. The message Files Updated appears upon completion of this procedure. Click the button OK. Fig Launch the program Nova by clicking the button Run Nova. The program will only use those measurement methods and signals that are possible with the present configuration. NOTE. During the subsequent launches of the program Nova, the previously selected configuration will be used with it. The user can create several configuration files and use them to run the program Nova automatically with the new configuration of the instrument. Altering the configuration of the program Nova. An earlier created configuration can be altered by means of the configurator. To alter a configuration, open the file of interest in the mode of editing: 1. Select a configuration file with the extension *.ncvf. 2. After positioning the cursor right-click on its name. 3. In the corresponding menu, which appears as a result of the previous action, select the command Edit. The configurator window with the configuration file will appear ready for editing

216 NOVA. SPM Control Program Loading the Configuration Data There two ways to load the earlier saved configuration of the program Nova: - Launch the earlier created configuration file with the extension *.nvcf by doubleclicking the mouse after positioning the cursor on its name. As a result, the program Nova launches with the settings corres ponding to the selected configuration. - From the configurator. To load the configuration saved earlier, perform the following: 1. Launch the configurator using the file configurator.exe stored in the folder Nova. The configurator window will arrear (Fig. 1-12). Fig Click the button. 3. A dialog box appears. Select the required configuration file and click the button Open to load this file. As a result, the configurator window transforms as shown in Fig Fig The configurator window with the configuration data loaded 1-216

217 Appendix 1. Configurator 4. Click the button Update Configuration to update settings of the program Nova. A message box containing information about completion of the update will appear (Fig. 1-14). Click the button OK. Fig Click the button Run Nova to launch the program Nova

218 NOVA. SPM Control Program 2. Par file The par file (parameters file) contains calibration coefficients and other scanner and sensor parameters used by the instrum ent control program. The par file can also include parameters not related to the scanner and the sensors (for example, //Approach Parameters are used during the approach). They are not used by the control program. The content of the par file is listed below: // id = MT807cl; // SCANER Parameters: Open Loop scanner calibration coefficients Xr= ; Yr= ; Zr= 1.531; Iph = ; Ipr=0.0015; u=24; // NLCor Parameters: nonlinearity correction parameters Fast A = 42.25; B = 52.63; AA = 90.62; BB = 285.9; Slow A = 34.11; B = 39.17; AA = 113.6; BB = 321.; Velocity VA = 1.0; VB = ; VC = ; Ypr = 0.8; Yrk = 1.185; { CLOSE LOOP } // CL_C Parameters: Closed Loop scanner calibration coefficients Xr = 0.24; Yr= 0.24; Zr= 4.69; Zdac= 0.7; // XYZ sensors parameters BandX=185; OffsetX=2914; PhaseX=60; ScaleX=1104; ExFrX=20; BandY=220; OffsetY=2906; PhaseY=61; ScaleY=1078; ExFrY=28; BandZ=4095; OffsetZ=2962; PhaseZ=2; ScaleZ=906; ExFrZ=40; // SenX nonlinearity correction parameters in the Closed Loop mode for the X-axis C_A = ; C_B = ; C_C = ; C_D = ; C_E = 0.0; // SenY nonlinearity correction parameters in the Closed Loop mode for the Y-axis C_A = ; C_B = ; C_C = ; 1-218

219 Appendix 2. Par file C_D = ; C_E = 0.0; // GAIN feedback gain in the Closed Loop mode Gx= 4095; Gy = 4095; Gz = 4095; { CLOSE LOOP } // Approach Parameters: are used during the approach Zmin = 12000; ZminFine = 11000; Back Steps= 5; Back Rate = 20; // Additional Parameters SampleScanning = 0; SensorsConnected = 1; XYClosedLoopState = 0; ZSensorSign = 1 Equivalent = 0; InverseX = 0; InverseY = 0; // END. Commen ts Open Loop scanner calibration coefficients Xr= ; Yr= ; Zr= 1.531; Iph = ; Ipr=0.0015; u=24; Xr, Yr scanner coefficients in the Open-Loop mode. Zr scanner calibration coefficient on Z for measuring topography using the voltage applied on the scanner Z section. Closed Loop scanner calibration coefficients Xr = 0.24; Yr= 0.24; Zr= 4.69; Zdac= 0.7; Xr, Yr are scanner coefficients in the Closed-Loop mode. Zr is scanner calibration coefficient on Z for measuring topography using the signal from the Z sensor (Z sensor calibration coefficient). Typically, Closed Loop calibration coefficients for X and Y coincide with the corresponding Open Loop coefficients (or the difference is insignificant). For Z the difference is essential

220 NOVA. SPM Control Program To view the calibration parameters, select SettingsCalibrationsChange calibrations. The Scanner Calibrations Setup dialog box appears. It includes two tabs: - Open Loop Calibrations Open Loop scanner calibration coefficients (see Fig. 2-1); - Closed Loop Calibrations Closed Loop scanner calibration coefficients (see Fig. 2-2). Fig Open Loop parameters Fig Closed Loop parameters Scanner nonlinearity correction parameters Fast A = 42.25; B = 52.63; AA = 90.62; BB = 285.9; Slow A = 34.11; B = 39.17; AA = 113.6; BB = 321.; Velocity VA = 1.0; VB = ; VC = ; Ypr = 0.8; Yrk = 1.185; Sensors parameters BandX=185; OffsetX=2914; PhaseX=60; ScaleX= 1104; ExFrX=20; BandY=220; OffsetY=2906; PhaseY=61; ScaleY=1078; ExFrY=28; BandZ=4095; OffsetZ=2962; PhaseZ=2; ScaleZ=906; ExFrZ=40; When using the instrument there may be a need to modify the following parameters: - Scale; - Offset; - Band; - Scale, Offset the parameters specify the range of the sensor output signal variation; - Band frequency band of the sensor output signal

221 Appendix 2. Par file After you have changed Scale or Offset for any axis you shall recalibrate the system for that axis. The recalibration shall include the determination of a new value for the corresponding coefficient from the Closed-Loop section using a test lattice. ATTENTION! The Phase and ExFr parameters are set by NT-MDT. There is no need to change them during the use of the scanner. The sensors parameters are displayed in the Closed Loop tab (see Fig. 2-3): Fig Closed Loop tab ATTENTION! When you use a scanner with sensors or a scanner equivalent the settings of the capacitance sensors shall be verified monthly. Nonlinearity correction parameters in the Closed Loop mode for the X-axis C_A = ; C_B = ; C_C = ; C_D = ; C_E = 0.0; Nonlinearity correction parameters in the Closed Loop mode for the Y-axis C_A = 0, ; C_ B = 0, ; C_C = 0, ; C_D = 0, ; C_E = 0, ; Feedback gain when using the sensors Gx= 4095; Gy = 4095; Gz = 4095; These gain factors define the speed of the feedback operation. NOTE. The Gz coefficient is required when the P7 modification controller (models BL022MT, BL022MR) or the scanner equivalent controller is used. Usually the Gx and Gy are set to maximum

222 NOVA. SPM Control Program Approach parameters Zmin = 12000; ZminFine = 11000; Back Steps= 5; Back Rate = 20; Additional parameters SampleScanning = 0; SensorsConnected = 1; XYClosedLoopState = 0; ZSensorSign = 1; Equivalent = 0; InverseX = 0; InverseY = 0; The SampleScanning parameter defines the type of scanning (by probe or by sample): - SampleScanning=0 scanning-by-probe; - SampleScanning=1 scanning-by-sample. The SensorsConnected parameter specifies whether the sensors are available: - SensorsConnected =0 no sensors; - SensorsConnected =1 sensors are available. The default value is SensorsConnected=0. The XYClosedLoopState parameter defines whether the feedback on X and Y is closed when the par file is loaded: - XYClosedLoopState =1 when the par file is loaded the feedback on X and Y is closed; - XYClosedLoopState =0 when the par file is loaded the feedback on X and Y is opened. The ZSensorsSign parameter together with Zr (Closed Loop scanner calibration coefficients) link the Z sensor output signal with the SensorHeight signal. The value of the ZSensorSign parameter is set by NT-MDT. ATTENTION! You shall not change the value of ZSensorsSign. With the wrong ZSensorsSign parameter the sample topography measured using the SensorHeight signal will be inverted relative to the Z-axis and the Curves mode (Spectroscopy) will become inoperative

223 Appendix 2. Par file Equivalent specifies whether the scanner equivalent is available: - Equivalent =1 the equivalent is used; - Equivalent =0 the scanner with built-in sensors is used. The default value is Equivalent =0. The InverseX parameter defines the direction of the probe motion relative the sample as the X-coordinate increases: - InverseX =0 default direction of motion; - InverseX =1 inverted direction; - The default value is InverseX =0. The InverseY parameter defines the direction of the probe motion relative the sample the Y-coordinate increases: - InverseY =0 default direction of motion; - InverseY =1 inverted direction; - The default value is InverseY =0. as 1-223

224 NOVA. SPM Control Program 3. Scripts Quick Launch Panel The scripts quick launch panel (called scripts panel further in the text) is intended to facilitate operating scripts during the measurement process. This panel can be altered by adding new buttons to it and/or by replacing and editing the buttons that are already available on it. The scripts panel is visualized by selecting the following path: Tools Nova PowerSript Script Panel. Once the program is launched, the scripts panel is made available in the top part of the main window of the program, below the panel of main operations (Fig. 3-1). Scripts panel Fig Position of the scripts panel after the program is launched Position of the scripts panel can be changed by dragging it by the divider, available in left part of the panel, to the new place. The panel can be either transferred to one of the sides of the main window and set fixed to that place or be set at any place of the main window in the form of a pop-up panel (Fig. 3-2). Fig Scripts panel as a pop-up panel Double-click of the mouse on the header of the pop-up panel makes it possible to fix the panel at the border of the main window in the last position it takes up. The scripts panel always contains the button. Once a script is launched, this button becomes activated. When required, this button can be used to terminate execution of all running scripts. This is done sequentially, starting from the script launched the latest

225 Appendix 3. Scripts Quick Launch Panel The panel is altered by using the commands of the context menu (see Fig. 3-3), which appears after clicking the right button of the mouse on the panel. There are the following options to alter the scripts panel: - Add new buttons to the panel; - Edit buttons of the panel; - Delete buttons of the panel; - Set default parameters of the panel. A detailed description of the scripts panel alteration procedure is provided in Chapter 3 Macrolanguage Nova PowerSript of the present manual. Fig Context menu of the scripts quick launch panel New Change Delete Edit Script Panel Setting Add a new button to the scripts panel Edit buttons of the panel Remove buttons from the scripts panel Edit the source code of a script Set parameters of the panel Dialog window New Button Properties The dialog window Ne w Button Properties (see Fig. 3-4) appears when selecting the command New from the menu. Fig Dialog window New Button Properties 1-225

226 NOVA. SPM Control Program Table 3-1. Elements of the dialog window New Button Properties Script File Name Set Caption Set Hint Set Picture Load This text box is used to enter the file name of the script, including the full path to it, to be launched by this button. Set this check box to give a caption to the button. The caption s text is typed into the text box located below the check box. When this check box is clear, there will be no caption available for this button. Set this check box to provide this button with a pop-up hint. The hint s text is typed into the text box located below the check box. When this check box is clear, there will be no pop-up hint available for this button. Set this check box to provide a logo for this button. When this check box is set, the button Load become activated. Load the file containing a logo image for the button. Use this command to activate the dialog window Open to gain access to the required file. NOTE. The logo image can be performed in almost all modern graphic formats. The optimal size for the logo image is pixels. Dialog window Edit Button Properties The dialog window E dit Button Properties (see Fig. 3-5) appears when selecting the command Edit from the menu. Fig Dialog window Edit Button Properties Elements of the dialog window Edit Button Properties are the same as those of the dialog window New Button Properties, which are described in Table 3-1 above

227 Appendix 3. Scripts Quick Launch Panel Dialog window Script Panel Button Settings The dialog window Script Panel Button Settings (see Fig. 3-58) appears when selecting the command Panel Settings from the menu. Fig Dialog window Script Panel Button Settings The text box Select default folder for script files is used to indicate the full path to the folder containing the scripts. NOTE. By default, all scripts are stored in the folder VBScripts in the root directory Nova. The text box Select default folder for button pictures is used to indicate the full path to the folder containing the buttons logo images. NOTE. By default, the files with logo images are stored in a sub-folder (Images, in the case under consideration) of the folder VBScripts in the root directory Nova. When the check box Panel visible by default is set, the scripts panel is visualized on the start of the program Nova by default

228 NOVA. SPM Control Program 4. Calculator The built-in calculator (see Fig. 4-1) allows you to apply transformation to frames. To start the calculator click on the toolbar of the Data tab in the control program. Fig Calculator The calculator includes the following elements: calculation box. - After each click in the calculation box the syntax analysis of the expressions is carried out (without attempts to calculate them) and if there are syntax errors the processing stops and the error message string above the calculation box displays a brief error diagnostics message. In this case, the text of the expression is highlighted in red starting from the position where the error was found to the end. After the string containing errors has been corrected it resumes its usual appearance, i.e. the highlighting is cleared; - All modifications to the expressions are taken into account after your next mouse click or after you have clicked Execute. Error message string

229 Appendix 4. Calculator Functions list. The list contains the following items: - SubPlane subtraction of plane; - - SubSecond subtraction of plane; Inverse inversion; - sin sine function; - cos cosine function. Constants list. The list contains the following items: - pi π constant; - e e constant; - lge natural to decimal logarithm translation constant; - lgx=lge*lnx; - lge=1/ln10; - C Euler constant. adds a new variable to the string; each new expression will start with this variable clears the calculation box, the variables and frame lists starts calculating the expression. If the expression contains a syntax error the corresponding diagnostics message appears buttons section. calculator mode switch. Two modes are available: - Mathematical operations will be carried out only on the frame data; - Physical operations on frames are carried out according to the physical meaning of the frame data with the scale retained. use this box to select a file to store the results of calculations. The file name shall be selected from the list of currently open files

230 NOVA. SPM Control Program 4.1. Calculated Expressions Syntax The calculator can c ompute several expressions. Each of them shall start with a variable followed by the equals sign. The variable will subsequently store the value of the expression. The expression can include: - variables with the values defined in preceding expressions; - numbers; - frames; - mathematical constants; - functions; - results of previous expressions; - operations signs. The expression shall not contain spaces between the elements. A new element is inserted in the expression at the cursor position. An expression can span over several lines (press <Enter> to switch to a new line). The expressions are separated by semicolon Variables You can add a variable by entering it with the keyboard or clicking Add var. The default names for the new variables have the following format Result1, Result2, etc. You can modify the name directly in the text after the variable has been added. A variable name shall start with a letter followed by letters, digits, underline symbols '_' or spaces Numbers To enter numbers, use the keyboard or the buttons section in the right part of the calculator window

231 Appendix 4. Calculator Operators To enter operators use the keyboard or the buttons section in the right part of the calculator window. Besides, to enter the next +, -, *, / or ^ operator or replace the existing one you can right-click and select the required operator from the pop-up menu that appears Frames To add a frame from an open file to the calculated expression, point to the required frame and holding the left mouse button drag the frame name in to the calculator expression box. You can not modify the name of the added frame. You can only delete it using <BackSpace> or <Delete>. A frame name can include spaces but it shall not contain operation signs and special symbols Constants To add a constant to the calculation box, select it from the Add constant list. The mathematical constants list contains: e, lge, pi and C (Euler constant). You can not modify the constant name. You can only delete it using <BackSpace> or <Delete> Functions To add a function to the calculation box, select it from the Add function list. The function name will be added to the calculation box together with a pair of brackets. To add an argument position the cursor inside the brackets. You can not modify the function name. You can only delete it using <BackSpace> or < Delete>

232 NOVA. SPM Control Program Using Variables When you calculate several expressions at a time you can use the names of the previously computed expressions by entering the corresponding variables names in the calculation box. For example: Result1=Height + Mag; Result2=Result1* Calculation Results You can use Drag&Drop to add the results of previous calculations saved in files. These elements are interpreted as frames rather than variables. When the operations in the calculator are carried out on scan images or spectroscopy data rather than numbers the calculation result will be a new frame with 2D- or 1D-data. When the operations are performed on numbers the result will be a text frame Syntax Errors A list of syntax errors is given in Table 4-1. Table 4-1 Invalid power Operand expected Invalid term Reserved constant name cannot be used as a variable Reserved function name cannot be used as a variable Missing operator An error in the operation of raising to power: illegal operand. Check that you have entered the expression correctly. A number can not be raised in the power specified by a frame. Neither a frame can be raised to a power given by another frame. Error in the expression syntax. Two operators follow each other. Result1=Height+- Error in the expression syntax or illegal symbol. Variable name has coincided with the name of a constant. Change the variable name. Variable name has coincided with the name of a function included in the calculator. Change the variable name. Error in the expression syntax. Two operands follow each other. Result=2Height 1-232

233 Appendix 4. Calculator Used variable has no value Undefined variable Incompatible frame types Incompatible data dimension Different measured physical parameters cannot be used in one expression Invalid argument: 2D frame expected but 1D frame found Invalid argument: frame expected but number found Invalid argument: number expected but frame found Mismatched brackets Operator ''='' expected Variable expected Variable cannot be redefined Library mal.dll cannot be loaded Element cannot be edited Frame type: <TXT> is not supported An attempt to assign a variable the value of an expression containing the same variable. Result1=Result1*2 The right part of the expression contains a variable that has not been previously defined. 1D- and 2D-data can not enter into the same expression. Data of different dimensions can not enter into the same expression. When the Physical mode is active, the frames related to different measured physical parameters can not enter the same expression. The function accepts 2D-frames, while a 1D-argument was entered. The function accepts frames, while a number was entered as an argument The function accepts numbers, while a frame was entered as an argument A bracket is missing in the expression An equals sign "=" shall follow the variable in the beginning of the expression The semicolon ";" shall be followed by either a new expression starting with a variable name or nothing. The variable has been assigned a value earlier. - Result1=Height+Mag - Result1=2*Height The library containing mathematical routines can not be loaded. The mathematical routines library shall be in the same folder as the program executable file. The element at the cursor position can not be modified. This is either a frame, a constant or a function. If you wish to delete the element, highlight it whole, position the cursor to its end or beginning and press <BackSpace> or <Delete>, respectively. The frames of this type can not be processed

234 NOVA. SPM Control Program 5. Importing and Exporting Data 5.1. Importing Data You can call the Import menu (see Fig. 5-1) by two ways: - In the Main menu select File Import; - On the toolbar of the Data tab click. Fig Data import menu Importing Graphics To import a graphics file into a 2D-frame use File Import File Graphic. The Import Graphic File dialog box will appear (see Fig. 5-2). Fig Import Graphic File dialog box The elements of the Import Graphic File dialog box are described below: loads values and states of the controls from the file ImportGraph.cfg; saves the current values and states of controls in the file ImportGraph.cfg

235 Appendix 5. Importing and Exporting Data NOTE. When you open the Import Graphic File dialog box the ImportGraph.cfg file is loaded automatically and the controls are set to the values saved in the file. This was done to facilitate import procedures using the same settings. Then you can either use the values of the controls or change them manually depending on the data contained in the exported frame. Use this box to specify the folder opened by default when loading a graphics file. In this box enter the name of the resulting frame. use the box to specify the scale for the resulting frame. In the resulting frame you can define the scales ( Scales), biases (Biases) and physical units ( Units) for each axis (X- and Y) and the data (F). By default this controls are unavailable. To enter a value in the box select the check box next to it. If selected the original graphics file is considered as Grayscale. - When the original graphics file uses the RGB colors format, each channel (R,G and B) is saved in a separate frame. If the original file is in Grayscale the result will contain one frame; - When the file is in Grayscale the As Grayscale box is unavailable. Click to import the file. Click to cancel the file import. The resulting frame is placed in the current (active) MDT-file

236 NOVA. SPM Control Program Importing ASCII To import data from the ASCII format use File Import File ASCII. The Import ASCII dialog box will appear (see Fig. 5-3). Fig Import ASCII dialog box The elements of the Import ASCII dialog box are described below: loads values and states of the controls from the file ImportASCII.cfg; saves the current values and states of controls in the file ImportASCII.cfg. NOTE. When you open the Import ASCII box the ImportASCII.cfg file is loaded automatically and the controls are set to the values saved in the file. This was done to facilitate import procedures using the same settings. Then you can either use the values of the controls or change them manually depending on the data contained in the exported frame. Use this box to specify the folder opened by default when loading an ASCII file. In this box enter the name of the resulting frame

237 Appendix 5. Importing and Exporting Data The box allows you to enter the symbol used as a decimal delimiter. Use this list to select the dimension of the frame (1D, 2D, 3D) which data are stored in the file. Type option button for the frame data stored in the file. It includes the following items: - Integer integer numbers; - Float floating-point numbers. Option button for the format used to save the data (1D-data only): - Values Only sequence of values Y; - Table X,Y-pairs; - Multi-column records of the type X. Y1forward Y1backward... YNforward YNbackward used for spectroscopy frames containing several curves. The check box is used only for 1D-data. For files without a header it allows you to specify how the data shall be interpreted: as one curve or as a pair of spectroscopy curves (for forward and reverse scan). In the latter case the second group of separators is used to specify the symbol delimiting the curves data. Data delimiter option box. It includes the following items: - Space; - Tab tabulator; - Enter new line; - Other other symbol selected from the list. Depending on the frame type (1D, 2D, 3D) the delimiter options for X; X and Y; X, Y and Z,respectively, become available. The boxes allow you to enter the the scales (Scales), biases (Biases) and physical units ( Units) for each axis (X Y and Z) and the data (F). By default this controls are unavailable. To enter a value in the box select the check box next to it

238 NOVA. SPM Control Program Select the check box when to same delimiter is used to separate dimensions of a higher and a lower order. Example 132#128#136#130#129#130##555#569 Select this check box if both <Space> and <Tab> were used and they shall be regarded as one delimiter. NOTE. By default <Space> and <Tab> are considered as different delimiters. click to import the file. click to cancel the file import. The progress bar in the lower part of the Import ASCII dialog box allows you to monitor the progress of import. The resulting frame is placed in the current (active) MDT-file Importing Binary To import a binary file into a frame use File Import File Binary. The Import Binary File dialog box will appear (see Fig. 5-4). Fig Import Binary File dialog box 1-238

239 Appendix 5. Importing and Exporting Data The elements of the Import Binary File dialog box are described below: loads values and states of the controls from the file ImportBin.cfg; saves the current values and states of controls in the file ImportBin.cfg. NOTE. When you open the Import Bi nary File dialog box the ImportBin.cfg file is loaded automatically and the controls are set to the values saved in the file. This was done to facilitate import procedures using the same settings. Then you can either use the values of the controls or change them manually depending on the data contained in the exported frame. Use this box to specify the folder opened by default when loading a binary file. In this box enter the name of the resulting frame. The list for the type of data stored in the file. Use this list to select the data dimensions (1D, 2D or 3D). In this box you can specify the offset of the data from the beginning of the file. Use this box to specify the number of points per each axis. In the example for 2D-data two text boxes are available. The boxes allow you to enter the the scales (Scales), biases (Biases) and physical units (Units) for each axis (X Y and Z) and the data (F). By default this controls are unavailable. To enter a value in the box select the check box next to it. click to import the file; click to cancel the file import. The resulting frame is placed in the current (active) MDT-file

240 NOVA. SPM Control Program Importing TWAIN To import data using the TWAIN interface select File Import TWAIN. TWAIN is a cross-platform interface for importing images obtained with certain scanners and digital cameras Importing OS To import data from the OS format use File Import File OS Importing Proscan To import data from the FIS, FSI and FSS formats use File Import File Proscan Importing TLK To import data from the TLK format use File Import File TLK Exporting Data You can call the Export menu (see Fig. 5-5) by two ways: - In the Main menu select File Export; - On the data tab Data on the toolbar click. Fig Data Export menu 1-240

241 Appendix 5. Importing and Exporting Data Exporting to Graphics To export the current (active) frame to a graphics file use File Export Graphic Common. The standard File Save dialog box appears in which you shall enter file name and format (*.bmp, *.jpg and *.tif). After you click Save the Export To Graphic File dialog box appears (see Fig. 5-6): Fig Export To Graphic File dialog box By default the Export To Graphic File dialog is maximized to the full-screen mode. The elements of the Export To Graphic Fil e dialog box are described below loads values and states of the controls from the file ExportGraph.cfg; saves the current values and st ates of controls in the file ExportGraph.cfg. NOTE. When you open the Export To Graphic File dialog box the ExportGraph.cfg file is loaded automatically and the controls are set to the values saved in the file. This was done to facilitate export procedures using the same settings. Then you can either use the values of the controls or change them manually depending on the data contained in the exported frame. use this box to specify the folder opened by default when exporting a frame into a graphics file. The right part of the Export To Graphic File dialog box contains the frame preview window

242 NOVA. SPM Control Program The left part of the Export To Graphic File dialog includes elements that depend on the file format. Common elements The box displays the estimated size of the resulting file. Color scheme option button. Image parameters options. It includes the items: following - Data Only (Actual Size) only data are saved. The image size is equal to the actual frame size (each pixel corresponds to one data point). - Data Only (Scalable) only data are saved. The image size can be adjusted (see Fig. 5-7). - Full Image the frame data are represented in the same form as in the Nova program. The size, color palette and axis settings are adjustable (see Fig. 5-8). Fig Export To Graphic File dialog box( Data Only (Scalable) mode) 1-242

243 Appendix 5. Importing and Exporting Data A description of the elements included in the Export To Graphic File box in the Data Only (Scalable) mode is given below: The box specifies the image size in pixels. Use these boxes to enter the image size in physical units that can be selected from the corresponding list The box allows you to define its units. enter resolution and When selected the image proportions are retained when the size is changed. When selected the change in the physical size results in the adjustment of the size in pixels, otherwise the resolution is adjusted. Fig Export To Graphic File dialog box( Full Image mode) A description of the elements included in Export To Graphic File box in the Full Image mode is given below: The description of the buttons on this toolbar is given in Item on page

244 NOVA. SPM Control Program Axis display settings panel. It includes the following elements: - Title is selected, the frame title is displayed; - X if selected, the X-axis is displayed; - Y if selected, the Y-axis is displayed; - Z if se lected, the color scale is displayed. The slider allows you to define the coefficient of the font size adjustment when the whole image size is changed. If cleared, than the size you specify refers to the whole image including the axis. Otherwise the size corresponds only to the data. When in th e Axis Visibility panel the Title, X, Y and Z check boxes are cleared, the settings of Data Pixel Size are ignored. Additional settings for the JPG format: Image quality panel. You can define the image quality (Quality) in one of the following ways: - by entering the quality value in the spin box; - by selecting a type of setting from the list; - by using the slider. Adjusting Quality you can achieve the optimal balance between image quality and size. Format preview option. It includes the following items: - Baseline ( Standard ) the image in the viewer appears on the screen line by line from above; - Progressive when loading the file the viewer first displays general features of the image with more details added as the file loads. For small- you select the Progressive option, it has a size images this effect is hardly visible. When minor effect on the file size. Additional settings for the TIF format: click to export the file; If selected, the LZW compression algorithm is applied to the resulting file (LZW stays for Lempel-Ziv-Welch). click to cancel the file export

245 Appendix 5. Importing and Exporting Data Exporting to ASCII To export the current (active) frame to an ASCII-file use File Export ASCII. The Export To ASCII dialog box will appear (see Fig. 5-9). Fig Export To ASCII dialog box The elements of the Export To ASCII dialog box are described below: loads values and states of the controls from the file ExportASCII.cfg. saves the current values and states of controls in the file ExportASCII.cfg. NOTE. When you open the Export To ASCII dialog box the ExportASCII.cfg file is loaded automatically and the controls are set to the values saved in the file. This was done to facilitate export procedures using the same settings. Then you can either use the values of the controls or change them manually depending on the data contained in the exported frame

246 NOVA. SPM Control Program use this box to specify the folder opened by default when exporting a frame into an ASCII file. the box allows you to enter the symbol used as a decimal delimiter. option button for the format used to save the data (1D-data only). Values Only the text contains one line with separators. When Include Header is selected and the original frame contains spectroscopy data including one or several pairs of curves, the data for the next spectroscopy point are saved first (the number and coordinates), then the number of points in the forward scan curve and the corresponding data in one line with specified separators followed by the number of points in the reverse scan curve and the relative data. When the frame is in the older spectroscopy format, only the number of points in curves is specified. Measured Point Number = 0 XPhys = 51176,0352 YPhys = 72631,1484 FwSize = BkSize = Measured Point Number = 1 When the reverse curve is absent, the "BkSize = 0" line is immediately followed by the data o f the next curve. Table the text consists of pairs of curve point coordinates separated by two delimiters: between X and Y for each point and between the points. NOTE. Typically the space (or tabulation symbol) and the line feed symbol are used as delimiters so that the resulting text file has a tabular form. When Include Header is selected and the original frame contains spectroscopy data including one or several pairs of curves, the data for the next spectroscopy point are saved first (the number and coordinates), then the number of points in the forward scan curve and 1-246

247 Appendix 5. Importing and Exporting Data the corresponding data using the specified separators followed by the number of points in the reverse scan curve and t he relative data. Measured Point Number = 0 XPhys = 45349,4922 YPhys = 17124,3887 FwSize = , , , , , , , , BkSize = , , , , , , , , Measured Point Number = 1... When the reverse curve is absent, the "BkSize = 0" line is immediately followed by the data of the next curve. In Values Only and Table modes when the Include Header box is cleared, the explanatory notes are not included in the text file and only data are saved. In this case for 1D-data there is a possibility to specify another separator between curves (both for the curves in the pair and for pairs of curves). It is a good idea to use Enter as such separator to make the file easy to read. Multi-column the text contains two or more columns: for X- and for Y-coordinates of each curve. In this mode the separators are predefined. The separator between the columns is the tabulator. The numbers in the column are separated by the line feed symbol. The first row of the resulting table for each curve contains coordinate pairs for spectroscopy curves and the second row includes the lengths of the forward and reverse scan data. X1Phys = 501,1797 Y1Phys = 726, XNPhys = 504,1445 YNPhys = 726,1484 FwSize1 = 64 BkSize1 = 64...FwSizeN = 64 BkSizeN = 64 X Y1F Y1B...YNF YNB

248 NOVA. SPM Control Program When the reverse scan is absent the corresponding column is blank. Data delimiter option box. It includes the following items: - Space; - Tab tabulator; - Enter new line; - Other other symbol selected from the list. Depending on the frame type (1D, 2D, 3D) the delimiter options for X; X and Y; X, Y and Z,respectively, become available. For 1D-data in the Table mode the first group of separators (Delimiters for Values) allows you to specify the delimiters for X and Y, and the second (Delimiters for Points) is used for the pairs (X, Y). When Include Header is cleared, the latter group is always used to select separators between curves (Delimiters for Curves). Export data type option. It includes the following items: - Include Scale And Bias data including the scale and the bias; - Data Only. In this list specify the units used to save the data. The options depend on the physical meaning of the data and the scale and can include meters, millimeters, microns, nanometers, etc. Section The Original option requires to retain the units used in the source frame

249 Appendix 5. Importing and Exporting Data Select the check box if you wish to add the header that contains service information in the resulting file. The header includes: format designation (ASCII), program name (Nova), creation date and time, the name of the source mdt-file, number of points for X-, Y- and Z-axis (depending on the dim ension), scales, bias and units for each axis and for the data. For 1D-data the header also includes the number of curves (ND), the typ e of the source frame (OneCurve, OldCurves or NewCurves), the current text file format (Row, Table and Columns), information on the data format in the file: without scale (DataScaleNeeded = Yes) or using the scale (DataScaleNeeded = No). The Start of Data line is followed by the frame data. NOTE. When the Include Header box is cleared, the explanatory notes are not included in the text file and only data are saved. In this case for 1D-data there is a possibility to specify an additional separator between curves (both for the curves in the pair and for pairs of curves). click to export the file; click to cancel the file export Exporting to Matlab To export the current (active) frame to M-file (Matlab) use File Export Graphic Matlab

250 NOVA. SPM Control Program Exporting to Excel To export the current (active) frame to an Excel-file use File Export ASCII. A standard File Save d ialog box appears. After you click Save the Export To Excel dialog box opens (see Fig. 5-10): Fig Export To Excel dialog box The elements of the Export To Excel dialog box are described below: loads values and states of the controls from the file ExportExcel.cfg; saves the current values and st ates of controls in the file ExportExcel.cfg. NOTE. When you open the Export To Excel dialog box the ExportExcel.cfg file is loaded automatically and the controls are set to the values saved in the file. This was done to facilitate export procedures using the same settings. Then you can either use the values of the controls or change them manually depending on the data contained in the exported frame. Use this box to specify the folder opened by default when exporting a frame into an Excel file. Export data type option. It includes the following items: - Include Scale And Bias data including the scale and the bias; - Data Only. Select the check box if you wish to include in the resulting file the header that contains service information

251 Appendix 5. Importing and Exporting Data click to export the file; click to cancel the file export. The progress bar in the lower part of the Export To Excel dialog box allows you to monitor the progress of import Exporting to ImagePro Use this feature to export a series of frames. To select the frames use the mouse or <Shift>+< >, < >, < > and < > keys combinations. The frames shall be of the same size

252 NOVA. SPM Control Program 6. Palette Editor The Palette Editor allows you to create and modify color palettes. To open the Palette Editor window use Tools Palette Editor. Fig Palette Editor window The horizontal axis displays the number of tints in the palette and the vertical axis represents the ratio of the selected component (R, G or B) in the given color tint

253 Appendix 6. Palette Editor The control panel of the Palette Editor includes the following elements: Allows you to create a new palette. When you click the button the Dialog box appears. Fig. 6-2 In the Dialog box enter the number of colors and click OK. After you click in the active area use the mouse to change the intensity of the current color component (there are 256 gradations of intensity) for the given range of tints. In the active area your changes are reflected by the shift of the polyline representing the corresponding red, green and blue components or the black component (for the opacity Alpha channel). Left-click to apply the final intensity value for the current tint range. To quit the edit mode click the right mouse button. During editing the lower part of the Editor displays the resulting palette (or opacity distribution when the Alpha channel is selected). Allows you to load a palette. After you click the button the Open dialog box appears (see Fig. 6-3). Fig. 6-3 Open dialog box 1-253

254 NOVA. SPM Control Program In the Open dialog box select a palette file type. Then choose a palette from the list and click Open. Allows you to load an existing palette and change the number of tints. After you click the button the Open dialog box appears (see. Fig. 6-3). In the Open dialog box select a palette file type. Then choose a palette from the list and click Open. After you click Open the Dialog box appears: Fig. 6-4 In the Dialog box enter the number of tints and click OK. N OTE. By default when you load a palette the Palettes folder of the Nova program is opened. If you wish to delete a palette from the file, point to the required palette in the list and right-click with the mouse. The following message will appear: Fig

255 Appendix 6. Palette Editor After you click Yes the palette will be deleted from the file. Click to save the palette in a new or existing file. In this box enter the palette name Switches R, G, B and Alpha-channels. Alpha is the opacity channel displayed in a separate box below the palette. Use this box to enter the current palette tint number when the number of tints is smaller then the number of pixels in the active area (768). Otherwise the current pixel number is displayed. The box displays the current intensity of the selected color component

256 NOVA. SPM Control Program 7. Creating and Viewing AVI files The Nova program has functionality to record a sequence of frames as a video file ( AVI file) that can further be viewed. To create an AVI-file, complete the following procedures 1. Switch to the Data Tab. Load an MDT file. 2. On the toolbar of the Data Tab click (Record). 3. In the Save As dialog box that appears enter the name for the AVI file: Fig To specify the delay in changing the frames of the AVI file, click (Settings). In the Options dialog box that appears on the Delay tab enter the delay: 1-256

257 Appendix 7. Creating and Viewing AVI files Fig Select the f rames and record them in turn to the file by clicking (Add): Fig When you finish recording deactivate (the Record button)

258 NOVA. SPM Control Program Viewing AVI-files The recorded AVI file can be viewed either by any conventional player or using the Nova program. The sequence of procedures required to view an AVI file using the Nova program is given below: 1. Switch to the Video tab. 2. In the toolbar of the Video tab select the Player mode. Fig To load the AVI file, click (Open) on the Control panel. 4. Start playing the AVI file by clicking (Play) on the Control panel. Fig. 7-5 A description of the buttons on the Control panel is given in Item. 23 on page