From the ground up, the PScan3™ SPM controller was designed for maximum flexibility. Because of its unique design, the PScan3™ SPM controller offers high performance combined with high value.
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Figure 1: PScan3 SPM Controller |
A few of the advanced features of the PScan3™ SPM controller are:
Master-Slave Design:
Communication between the master computer and the slave controller uses industry standard Ethernet communications and incorporates Data-Command Exchange (DCExT) protocol for information transfer. Thus, the master computer may be PC, MAC or UNIX based. A PC Windows XP version of the master software is shipped with every unit. Furthermore, a single master unit can be used with many slaves. Proprietary Pacific Nanotechnology software permits real time control of parameters, including PID feedback settings, scan range, and scan speed.
Microprocessor Based Controller:
The sophisticated PScan3™ electronic controller is based on a Pentium CPU and operates independently of the master computer. The controller has its own RAM and a large hard drive for storing a high quantity of data. The high speed communications protocol allows the simultaneous X-Y positioning and acquisition of up to three high resolution images(1024x1024) at 20 kHz or four images at 16 kHz.
Flexibility:
Many types of Probe Microscope heads are easily controlled by the PScan3™. As an example, support is provided for tripod and tube scanners having external linearizers. Probe approach is achieved using stepping motors. The controller comes standard with three high voltage amplifiers.
Expandable:
The PScan3™ is the first ever control system designed for the direct control of more than one SPM head using a single master computer. Using the Ethernet connection, multiple heads may be controlled simultaneously. Many new types of scientific and inspection applications are possible for the first time with the PScan3™ SPM controller. For example, this architecture enables arrayed SPM design which is needed for next generation quality control tools in semiconductor manufacturing.
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Figure 2: Snapshot of SPM-Cockpit™ Scan Software |
The PScan3™ SPM controller communicates with the "master" computer through standard Ethernet protocols. An extensive software library is available for execution of the standard scan functions such as tip approach, scan, rotate, and zoom. SPMCockpit™ Software, written in industry standard Visual Basic, is included with each PScan3™ SPM controller. It provides basic and advanced SPM control features and its code can be used as a template for developing customized software for particular applications.
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Figure 3: Snapshot of SPM-Cockpit™ Stage Software |
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Figure 4: PScan2™ Block Diagram |
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