Question:

AFM stands for

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Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is distinct from optical or electron microscopes. Instead of using light or electrons, it uses a physical probe to "feel" the surface, allowing for very high-resolution imaging and characterization of surface properties at the nanoscale.
Updated On: Jun 11, 2025
  • Auto focusing microscope

  • Antenna focusing microscope

  • Atomic force microscope

  • Atomic focusing microscope

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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Definition of AFM

AFM refers to a scientific instrument used in nanotechnology to study surfaces at the atomic or molecular level. It is commonly used in materials science, biology, and engineering to measure properties like surface topography, roughness, or mechanical characteristics of materials, including biomaterials. The question asks what AFM stands for, with options: auto focusing microscope, antenna focusing microscope, atomic force microscope, and atomic focusing microscope. Let’s evaluate each option.

1. Auto Focusing Microscope

An auto focusing microscope would imply a microscope with an automated focusing mechanism, typically used in optical microscopy to adjust the lens for clear imaging. This term is not a standard acronym for AFM and does not relate to the nanoscale surface-probing technology associated with AFM. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

2. Antenna Focusing Microscope

Antenna focusing microscope is not a recognized term in scientific instrumentation. It might suggest a device related to focusing electromagnetic waves, but it has no connection to the established meaning of AFM, which involves scanning surfaces with a probe. This option is also incorrect.

3. Atomic Force Microscope

An atomic force microscope (AFM) is a high-resolution imaging tool that uses a tiny probe (often a cantilever with a sharp tip) to scan the surface of a sample. It measures forces between the tip and the sample’s atoms, such as van der Waals forces, to create detailed images of surface topography at the nanoscale. AFM is widely used for studying biomaterials, like proteins or cell surfaces, and other materials. This is the standard and correct meaning of AFM.

4. Atomic Focusing Microscope

Atomic focusing microscope is not a recognized term in microscopy. It might imply a microscope that focuses on atoms, but this is not a standard instrument or acronym. The term is likely a distractor, as it sounds similar to atomic force microscope but is incorrect.

Why Atomic Force Microscope is the Correct Answer

AFM stands for Atomic Force Microscope, a well-established instrument in nanotechnology and materials science. It operates by scanning a sample’s surface with a probe to measure atomic-scale interactions, providing high-resolution images and data on properties like surface roughness or stiffness. For example, in biomaterials, AFM can map the surface of a cell membrane or measure the elasticity of a tissue scaffold. The other options—auto focusing microscope, antenna focusing microscope, and atomic focusing microscope—are not standard terms and do not describe the technology associated with AFM.

Why Not the Other Options?

  • Auto Focusing Microscope: Refers to a feature of optical microscopes, not a specific instrument or AFM.
  • Antenna Focusing Microscope: Not a recognized scientific term or instrument.
  • Atomic Focusing Microscope: A made-up term that sounds similar to AFM but is not correct.

A Simple Way to Remember

Think of AFM as a tool that “feels” surfaces at the atomic level:

  • Atomic Force Microscope: Uses a probe to sense atomic forces on a surface, like feeling the bumps on a nanoscale map.
  • Other Options: Misleading terms that don’t match the real instrument (no “focusing” or “antenna” involved).

Final Answer

AFM stands for Atomic Force Microscope.

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