August 25, 2000

First day in the lab. Basically learning how the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) works. When starting the software, remember to choose 25m for the size of your piezo electric. That is the size in our machine.

Scanned a practice image: JC001

September 5, 2000

Learning how to do use the AFM and the software.  Scanned image JC002 to learn the software.

October 10, 2000

We finally received our samples last week and started imaging them today. We mounted a sample using a small amount of finger nail polish and that seemed to work pretty well.

Scanned two areas of Algernon

October 13, 2000

After examining our samples from last week, we realized that we needed to level our sample. Algernon-1 actually started to have some more realistically looking features. Using the three-point leveling function on the image analysis software, we were able to get rid of some artifacts, to give us a more real picture. As you can see from our images of Algernon, the new image is much clearer and more defined in the 3d view.

October 20, 2000

We did a test image JC005 of a known sample to see if our AFM is really working. Our results were not a good as we had hoped for, signaling an underlying problem. Started to align the laser but didn't quite get it finished. The biggest problem might be that our laser itself is just worn out and will no longer function properly. Will work on it later.

October 27, 2000

After spending two hours yesterday and messing something up, we finally got a really good image, Algernon-32.This image not only has some small features, it also has a large "cliff" or steep drop off.

We were able to get a good image because we dusted it off using Nitrogen gas.

November 7, 2000

We had the blessing of the AFM God today. We were able to take some really good images. Algernon 4, Algernon 5, Algernon 6. Even though some of the pictures have some noise, the rest of the picture shows good data.

We have seen some neat features. The surface is scattered fairly evenly with small "rocks". There are also some steep steps and some interesting slopes.

November 10, 2000

Like usual, we took two more images today. They were not as clear as the images from 7 November. There is a lot of noise shown in the image.

December 21, 2000

While preparing Algernon for imaging we had some trouble while approaching the sample.

We were touching the sample but the tip was not. We remedied the problem by manually rotating the sample.

Algernon was treated and we took some picture of the sample. We found a slope that had been etched and it looked like there were steps on the slope. That is what we were looking for.

December 27, 2000

Betty, is our second sample. We took several images and found many similar features to the features in Algernon. Betty was sent to be treated with the acid and we will start looking at it next semester.

January 26, 2001

We have treated Algernon again and took some more pictures. We didn't think that the first treatment was long enough at 24 hours. This time it was treated for 48 hours and it is very intersting. The steppes in the slopes are more exaggerated and more frequent. That is what we were expecting.

February 2, 2001

We started a new sample today and took images of Claude. These are the file names of the pictures.
Claude 1 JC032
Claude 2 Jc033

February 23, 2001

Matt Smith took five images over the weekend Matt027-031. These are pre-treatment images of Claude. Claude was treated for about 56 hours and we are taking post-treatment images today.

March 9, 2001

March 23, 2001

April 6, 2001

Started a new sample today, Delilah.  Everything seemed to go well.  Got 4 good images.  Nothing spectacular or out of the ordinary.  Just the same "rocky" surfaces that we have seen with all of the pre-treatment images.

June 27, 2001

We have taken several images lately and I need to update you on which files are which.  We have not found anything new.  All of our images show the same features that the previous ones show.  Here is a table of all the files: