MEMS sensor for in situ TEM Atomic Force Microscopy

Here we present a MEMS atomic force microscope (AFM) sensor for use inside a transmission electron microscope (TEM). This enables direct in situ TEM force measurements in the nN range. The main design challenges of the sensor are a high sensitivity and the narrow dimensions of the pole gap inside the TEM. Fabrication of the sensor was done using standard micromachining techniques, such as ion implantation, oxide growth and deep reactive ion etch. We present in situ TEM force measurements on nanotubes, which demonstrates the ability to measure spring constants of nanoscale systems.