Temperature variation and vibration isolation

Owing to its very nature the AFM can he susceptible to changes in temperature and external vibrations. Providing these variables are realized and steps are taken to minimize their effects, a user should still be able to obtain high-quality images. Air conditioning can help to minimize the effects of thermal fluctuations by stabilizing the temperature of the room within which the AFM is operated. 

Environmental chambers in which the AFM can be housed are also available, if external temperature variation becomes problematic. To minimize the problem of external vibrations inherent in any building, the AFM instrument can be placed on pneumatic vibration isolation tables or other cheaper alternatives, such as platforms suspended on bungee cords. Such approaches are commonly employed in SPM laboratories and reduce a large fraction of unwanted vibrations that may interfere with imaging. 

---