English

Haptic Sensation-Based Scanning Probe Microscopy: Exploring Perceived Forces for Optimal Intuition-Driven Control

Instrumentation and Detectors 2022-08-29 v3

Abstract

We demonstrate a cryogenic scanned probe microscope (SPM) that has been modified to be controlled with a haptic device, such that the operator can `feel' the surface of a sample under investigation. This system allows for direct tactile sensation of the atoms in and on top of a crystal, and we simulate, by using different SPM modalities, a sensation that is representative of the relevant atomic forces controlling the SPM. In particular, we operate the microscope in modes of (1) conventional STM feedback, (2) energy-dependent electron density imaging, (3) q-plus AFM frequency and amplitude based force sensing, and (4) atomic manipulation/sliding. We also use software to modify the haptic feedback sensation to mimic different interatomic forces, including covalent bonding, Coulomb repulsion, Van der Waals repulsion and a full Leonard-Jones potential. This manner of SPM control creates new opportunities for human-based intuition scanning, and it also acts as a novel educational tool to aid in understanding materials at an atomic level.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2207.10197,
  title  = {Haptic Sensation-Based Scanning Probe Microscopy: Exploring Perceived Forces for Optimal Intuition-Driven Control},
  author = {Maxwell Freeman and Rhett Applestone and Wyatt Behn and Victor Brar},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2207.10197},
  year   = {2022}
}

Comments

9 pages, 6 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-25T01:05:55.128Z