The flexible research AFM
Overview
The flexible research AFM
Modular concept to exactly match your needs
Compatible with inverted microscopes
Flat and linear scanning thanks to flexure-based scanner technology
True flexibility with exchangeable cantilever holders for specialized tasks
Scanning capabilities in liquid and advanced measurement modes
Suitable for any sample size
For success in research, scientists depend on professional tools that can readily provide the information needed, regardless of the tasks at hand. By advancing key technologies and designs, Nanosurf has made the FlexAFM one of the most versatile and flexible AFMs ever, allowing a large variety of research applications to be handled with ease. In combination with the powerful C3000i controller, complex material characterizations are possible.
Used by hundreds of researchers for many applications
The FlexAFM is your reliable tool for topographical and metrological imaging of samples in both air and liquid. But the Flex-Axiom goes beyond topography, for example with advanced mechanical, electrical, or magnetic characterization. The system has also been successfully used for local sample manipulation.
The precision and performance you need for your research
The Flex-Axiom uses an extremely linear electromagnetic scanner for XY movement. This scanner delivers an average linearity deviation of less than 0.1% over the full scan range, top-ranking on the AFM market. The Z-axis is piezo-driven, with a position sensor that enables closed-loop operation. A sensitive cantilever detection system can measure well into the MHz frequency range. The scan head is connected to the full-featured, 24-bit C3000i controller with digital feedback and 2 dual-channel lock-in amplifiers.
Perfect for use inside a glovebox
Harvard's Philip Kim investigates mesoscale transport phenomena of low dimensional nanoscale materials with the Nanosurf Flex-Axiom AFM installed in an MBraun Glovebox MB-200B.

- The setup allows sample preparation inside the glovebox
- No sample contamination with water or oxygen allows measurement of electrical transport properties
- Cable feedthrough done by MBraun; 2 sets of cables included
- MinusK and IsoStage vibration isolation
Flexible system design for life science research
Flex-Bio comes with manual and motorized stages for seamless integration on Zeiss, Olympus, Nikon and Leica inverted microscopes or with standalone stages. On the inverted microscope, optical and AFM data can be correlated, as shown here for internal limiting membrane (ILM) of the human retina.

The modular stage, cantilever holder, and software concept allows an easy upgrade of the system to access many new possibilities in life science and materials research. Flex-FPM for cell and nano-manipulation, for example, and Flex-ANA for automatic nanomechanical analysis. In addition, advanced modes like MFM and KPFM that were originally developed for the Flex-Axiom system, are also available for Flex-Bio. For measurements that don’t need optical access from below, e.g. for the imaging and spectroscopy of samples like bacteriorhodopsin, a standalone stage makes the Flex-Bio compatible with the Nanosurf Isostage and Acoustic Enclosure 300, and generally makes the system much more compact.

Practical details that really matter in daily use
Cantilever holders with alignment structures are available for use with cantilevers containing alignment grooves. This provides micrometer repositioning accuracy, circumventing laser alignment and allowing you to find the same sample features again and again. Cantilevers enter the image from top to bottom, so sample orientation is always the same, no matter whether you look by eye, CCD camera, or AFM (when scanned at the default scan angle).


