AFM Cantilever

An AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) cantilever is a tiny, flexible arm with a sharp tip at its end. It scans very close to a surface to feel its topography by measuring the tiny forces between the tip and the surface atoms. When the tip interacts with the surface, the cantilever deflects slightly. These deflections are detected by a laser and sensor, creating detailed maps of surface structures at nanometer resolution. The cantilever acts like a highly sensitive probe, allowing scientists to examine surfaces at an incredibly small scale with precision.