Atomic force microscope equipped with confocal laser scanning microscope for the spectroscopic measurement of the contact area in liquid

We developed a new experimental system (CLSM/AFM) and made the spectroscopic measurement in the contact area in liquid possible. We tried to measure the solvent properties between an AFM probe and hydrophilic or hydrophobic substrate surface. A microbead was attached to the AFM probe and fluorescent molecules were introduced to this probe to clarify the solvent property. As a result, when the probe was contacted, the fluorescence intensity changed according to these modified surfaces of substrates. This CLSM/AFM system could clarify the solvent property between an AFM probe and substrate surfaces directly.