Some applications of atomic force microscopes require that the microscope
head be portable or in a "stand alone" configuration. Examples are:
- When a large sample that cannot be cut up, such as a plate of glass,
must be scanned with the AFM.
- If the AFM must be used in combination with another instrument such
as an inverted optical microscope for life sciences applications.
The AFM head that is used in the Pacific Nanotechnology products can be
easily adapted to a "stand alone" configuration.
