Lab Bulletin

Providing the highest performance of electronics controller for scanning probe microscopes, SPM, is one of the driving forces behind JPK's development programs. Recent engineering breakthroughs have enabled the elimination of DSP technology. JPK has utilized the new Power-PC hardware with the latest FPGA architecture to deliver the highest digital performance.

Vortis Advanced is now available with all of JPK's SPM systems: the NanoWizard® 3, the ForceRobot® 300 and the CellHesion® 200 now deliver even more superior results. With fast signal acquisition and control, advanced feedback and analysis are the keys for a modular and ultra flexible controller. The lowest noise levels are achieved using a new grounding concept, intelligent signal conditioning, temperature stabilized oscillators and passive cooling.

Vortis Advanced has been designed so the builder of their home-designed and built SPM heads may utilize these performance benefits. It comes with a large number of user accessible analog and digital signal channels, fast responding lock-in amplifiers and high end piezo drivers with closed loop control. Flexibility of design gives the user the ability to work with different probe configurations requiring different levels of control. For example, STM systems, systems using tuning forks and high frequency cantilevers all need very specific control, all of which are delivered by the Vortis Advanced. Synchronisation with external instruments including spectrometers, potentiostats and optical detection devices is provided too.

Control systems with the best hardware still require another vital element, powerful and modular software. JPK supplies the new package, SPMControl v4 to deliver ease of use plus the ability for user customized experiments through the implementation of many powerful data analysis and processing routines such as multi-channel oscilloscope functionality, advanced filtering, batch processing and channel overlay.

JPK develops, engineers and manufactures instrumentation in Germany to the world-recognised standards of German precision engineering, quality and functionality. For further details of the NanoWizard®3 and its many applications, please visit the JPK web site (www.jpk.com).