NNIN SUMMER EXPERIENCE
GOALS
To learn about the technology behind
an AFM and produce images of
different materials
 To create a lesson plan that
incorporates nanotechnology into the
existing curriculum
 To develop an action plan that
exposes students to nanotechnology
throughout the school year

AFM
Explored the main principles behind
the AFM (cantilever, photodetector,
feedback loop, etc.)
 Produced and analyzed images from a
Nanosurf® easyScan AFM system
 Developed a presentation for other
educators to use with this AFM
system

AFM Operation - Overview
http://www.pacificnano.com/afm-modes.html
Learning to use the AFM
Used the AFM to image Gold samples
 Interpretation of the images to
distinguish between the two gold
samples
 Image of Gold Grating
 Measurement and Analysis of Gold
Grating to determine grating spacing

Images of Gold Samples
Au sample A
average area roughness (Sq = 6nm)
Gold deposition by electroplating
Au Sample B
average roughness (Sq = 100nm)
Gold deposition by sputtering
Gold Practice Grating
Image Analysis
Average grating spacing :
1.04 μm
Average height of features:
51.2 nm
Nature of the surface:
Blazed
Gold Practice Grating : 8μm scan
Plane Transmission Grating
1-D grating (sample A)
grating spacing:
4.8 μm
1- D grating (sample B)
grating spacing:
1.28 μm
2-D grating
grating spacings:
x: 6.97 μm
y: 7.07 μm
LESSON PLAN: CDs AND DVDs
AS DIFFRACTION GRATINGS
 Develop
Student Worksheet
and Teacher’s Guide
 Incorporate AFM imaging and
analysis of CDs and DVDs
with an existing Diffraction
Grating Lab
Diffraction Pattern using a CD as
a Diffraction Grating
CD grating
Laser
central
spot
screen
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/phyopt/grating.html
AFM Images and Cut-out Scans of a
Blank CD AND DVD (10 m)
AFM Images of CD and DVD
(unrecorded)
CD-Blank
DVD- Blank
(10 μm scan)
(10 μm scan)
Track pitch = 1.57 μm
Track pitch = 0.780 μm
AFM Images CD/DVD
(recorded)
CD - data encrypted
scan size : 20 μm
DVD – data encrypted
scan size : 10 μm
AFM Images CD/DVD
(recorded)
CD - data encrypted
scan size : 5 μm
DVD – data encrypted
scan size : 5 μm
Blu-Ray AFM Images
Comparing Data Density of CD,
DVD and Blu-Ray
Blu-Ray Disc


CD
DVD

Experimental Data and Reference Data
Blu-Ray
DVD
CD
Laser Size
405 nm
650 nm
780 nm
Track pitch
0.32 m
(0.33 m)
0.74 m
(0.79 m)
1.6 m
(1.57 m)
Min. pit
length
0.15 m
(0.17 m)
0.40 m
(0.41 m)
0.83 m
(0.79 m)
Channel bit
size
0.062 m
0.133 m
0.278 m
25 GB
4.7 GB
0.7 GB
Capacity
Blue: experimental values
black : reference values
CONCLUSIONS

Experimental results of track pitch, minimum pit length of a
CD , DVD and Blu-Ray agree well with known values.

Experimental results of grating spacing obtained from the
diffraction pattern using CDs and DVDs agree well with the
grating spacing obtained from imaging them with the AFM.

The AFM image of a CD was used to determined the no. of
data bits per square micrometer. The total usable area of a
CD was determined from measurement and used to
calculate the storage capacity of the disc.

The density of the tracks of CDs and DVDs as
compared to a Blu-Ray was used to explain the increase
in storage capacity and the recent technology used to
further increase the same.
ACTION PLAN
Metric conversions – Powers of Ten Video
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBsOeLcUARw)
 Hooke’s Law and cantilevers (SP3: Simple Harmonic
Motion)
 Diffraction Gratings (SP4: Waves)
 Photodiodes, Lasers, Voltage and the AFM (SP4 and
SP5: Waves and Electromagnetism)
 Piezo materials and Voltage (SP5: Electromagnetism)
 Journal Readings
 Projects
 Career Research

GPS Standards
Links to Lesson Plans
Lesson Plan
 Student worksheet
 AFM Quick Reference

Dr.Larry Bottomley and group
Dr. Nancy Healy
Joyce Palmer
School of Chemistry and
BioChemistry
NNIN Educational
Coordinator
Asst Educational
Coordinator ,NNIN