School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
This study presents the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a macro-scale atomic force microscope (AFM) aimed at providing a low-cost platform for educational and research applications. Unlike conventional atomic force microscopes, the proposed system does not employ a piezoelectric actuator or an optical sensor. Instead, simultaneous self-sensing and self-actuation are achieved through the interaction between a moving magnet and a coil based on the Hall effect. In this system, a cantilever beam, coil, and magnet are employed to generate and control the beam vibrations in amplitude-modulation mode. The mechanical and electromagnetic components of the system are designed using numerical analysis and simulation, followed by fabrication of a laboratory-scale prototype. After dynamic characterization of the system, an integral controller is implemented on an Arduino development board. The developed microscope is then calibrated using a reference sample, and its performance is evaluated through surface topography imaging. The results demonstrate that the microscope can detect surface variations with a lateral resolution of 1.1 mm and a vertical resolution of 0.2 mm. The findings indicate that, despite its low fabrication cost and simple structure, the proposed system provides a suitable platform for educational purposes, development of control methods, and further improvement of future generations of atomic force microscopes.
Barandak,A , Bahrami,A and Sadighi,A . (2026). Developing a Macro-Scale Amplitude-Modulation Atomic Force Microscope. (e741087). Journal of Vibration and Sound, (), e741087
MLA
Barandak,A , , Bahrami,A , and Sadighi,A . "Developing a Macro-Scale Amplitude-Modulation Atomic Force Microscope" .e741087 , Journal of Vibration and Sound, , , 2026, e741087.
HARVARD
Barandak A, Bahrami A, Sadighi A. (2026). 'Developing a Macro-Scale Amplitude-Modulation Atomic Force Microscope', Journal of Vibration and Sound, (), e741087.
CHICAGO
A Barandak, A Bahrami and A Sadighi, "Developing a Macro-Scale Amplitude-Modulation Atomic Force Microscope," Journal of Vibration and Sound, (2026): e741087,
VANCOUVER
Barandak A, Bahrami A, Sadighi A. Developing a Macro-Scale Amplitude-Modulation Atomic Force Microscope. JVS. 2026;():e741087 (In Persian).