Key features
Exceptional resolution and mechanical stability – Short, stiff mechanical loop with background noise <15 pm. Achieve atomic-resolution images of point defects on calcite, graphene lattice, BN, porphyrin even without vibration isolation.
10–100x faster scanning – High-bandwidth scanner, small cantilever probe, scan rates up to 40 Hz, 256×256 pixel images in seconds, enabling dynamic imaging (sublimation, surface reconstruction, PFM).
blueDrive™ Tapping Mode exclusive – Photothermal excitation with a 640 nm laser, no secondary resonance, clean tuning, stable amplitude for hours, accurate quantitative results, compatible with liquids including viscous ionic liquids.
Fully automated setup – SpotOn™ aligns laser/detector with one click, ModeMaster™ configures modes, GetReal™ calibrates cantilever without touching the sample, GetStarted™ optimizes Tapping parameters.
Powerful quantum mechanical and electrical toolkit – AM-FM Viscoelastic Mapping (50 kPa – 300 GPa), Contact Resonance, Fast Force Mapping (up to 1000 Hz/pixel), CAFM (1 pA – >10 μA), KPFM, EFM, PFM (DART, switching spectroscopy), sMIM, ESM.
Two flexible configurations – Cypher S: optimized for fundamental research in air and liquid, with blueDrive option. Cypher ES: adds temperature control (0–250°C), gas/liquid perfusion, conductive probe, STM, electrochemistry, compatible with strong chemicals (e.g., toluene), sealed chamber for pressure testing, easy to use even in a glovebox.
Detailed description
Technology & principles
Cypher uses a tube-type scanner but is optimized for mechanical and electronic performance to achieve extremely low noise. The closed-loop LVDT position sensor has noise X/Y <60 pm, Z <50 pm, allowing for non-deforming closed-loop scanning. The small laser spot (3×9 μm) is compatible with fast, small cantilevers. blueDrive uses a 640 nm laser directed near the cantilever base, creating forced oscillations through the photothermal effect, completely eliminating any secondary resonances caused by piezoelectric effects, particularly effective in liquids.
Common limitations of AFM:
Traditional AFM struggles to achieve atomic resolution, is prone to noise, requires expensive vibration isolation tables; slow scanning; Tapping Mode in liquids is difficult to adjust, prone to probe damage; complex setup; environmental experiments require separate equipment, prone to leaks.
Advantages of the Cypher S / Cypher ES:
- Background noise <15 pm → atomic resolution images of defects even when the pump is running, no special vibration isolation needed.
- Scanning speed is 10–100 times faster, capturing kinetics (>0.1 Hz).
- blueDrive tunes only a single peak, amplitude stable for hours, capturing images continuously for 12 hours.
- SpotOn, ModeMaster, GetReal, GetStarted automate nearly every step.
- Cypher ES is a completely sealed chamber, chemical-resistant membrane, pressure sensor, allowing gas/liquid perfusion, temperature control 0–250°C, safe with toluene.
Integration & expansion
- Cypher S: liquid cantilever holder (reducing evaporation), interferometric sensor for PFM, blueDrive.
- Cypher ES: sample stage ambient, heating/cooling (0–120°C), heating (250°C), humidity sensing. Probe holder: standard, liquid droplet, liquid perfusion, CAFM, STM, electrochemistry.
- Supports Fast Force Mapping (1000 Hz/pixel), CAFM, sMIM, high voltage PFM.