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The #1 toolbox for Scanning Probe Microscopy data analysis

Based on industry-standard Mountains® technology and now also including all the best SPIP™ (Image Metrology) interactivity and analytical tools, MountainsSPIP® software contains the most advanced set of professional tools on the market for your scanning probe microscopy image analysis.
Apply interactive particle analysis - Analyze force curves and force volume images - Perform correlative analysis by combining SPM images and data from other instruments - Analyze multi-channel files - Process data from ANY scanning probe microscope including atomic force microscopes (AFM) - Correct, normalize and denoise measured data - Ensure correct XY calibration - Correct tip effect - Characterize surface texture in accordance with ISO standards

What’s inside MountainsSPIP®

Advanced particle analysis

Easily detect and quantify features of any shape and size. Quantify 70+ characteristics (height, area, volume, perimeter etc.) for the whole sample or individual particles.

Force spectroscopy

View, process and analyze force curves and force volume images. Correct data, create interactive parameter maps and manage large collections of curves.

Correlative analysis

Combine SPM images with data from other instruments (SEMs, 3D optical microscopes, confocal microsopes etc.) to perform correlative analysis.

Multi-channel imaging & analysis

Handle multi-channel files. Visualize different layers in 3D at the touch of a button. Apply analysis to a single layer or to all layers. Extract multi-layer cross-sections.

High compatibility

Process data from any brand or type of scanning probe microscope including atomic force microscopy (AFM), STM, SNOM etc. Open over 170 file formats.

Data correction & normalization

Get your data ready for analysis with correction, normalization & denoising tools. Remove anomalous scan lines and isolated artifacts.

Lateral calibration

Lateral calibration: automatically calculate correction parameters (for example using a calibration standard) then apply them to measured data.

Tip deconvolution

Correct image distortion due to tip convolution. Simulate and reconstruct tip geometry and re-use it for the deconvolution of other measured data.

Surface texture analysis

Characterize surface texture characterization in accordance with international standards. Apply advanced ISO 16610 filtering techniques and ISO 25178 3D parameters.

Benefits

Thanks to its unique analysis workflow, MountainsSPIP® makes it easy to keep track of analysis steps already applied to images and instantly revert back to any step in the process. Any step can be edited: all dependent steps are automatically recalculated!

Benefits

MountainsSPIP® allows you to save work and pick up where you left off next time. Repetitive analysis routines, following the same steps again and again, can be automated with robust tools including templates.

Benefits

Organize your SPM image analysis (original images, particle analysis, statistics, force curve analysis etc.) on multiple pages and publish directly in different formats (PDF, Word and Excel). Ideal for sharing your work with colleagues, students, clients etc.

Benefits

Join our worldwide community of over 15,000 Mountains® users and choose the surface and image analysis software trusted by the leading manufacturers of microscopes and profilometers.

Benefits

Work in one of 11 languages and get help and responsive support on using MountainsSPIP® for SPM applications from our international team of experts.

Benefits

Rely on Digital Surf’s extensive experience in developing analysis software for the global industrial and scientific community. The majority of national research laboratories trust the precision of Mountains®.

Select your product

	MountainsSPIP® Premium	MountainsSPIP® Expert	MountainsSPIP® Starter
Instrument compatibility	Any scanning probe microscope (SPM) including atomic force microscopy (AFM), STM, SNOM etc.
3D View with animation
Advanced File Explorer
Analysis of force curves
Automation using Template Documents and document save/load features
Basic tools for SPM image visualization and analysis
Colocalization (correlative analysis)
Detection, analysis and classification of particles and pores
Dimensional measurements (step heights, distances)
Full reporting facilities including PDF and Word export
Image stitching
Powerful statistical tools
Tip deconvolution

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Recommended optional modules

The following range of optional modules for advanced and specialized applications is available for MountainsSPIP^® range.

Profiler Extension Module

Profiler data management & analysis including distances and step heights measurement, basic ISO standard filters & filtering techniques

SEM Topography Module

3D reconstruction from 2 or 4 SEM images, instant 3D enhancement of single SEM images & semi-automatic image colorization

4D Series Module

Analyze surface evolution with respect to time, temperature, magnetic field or another dimension

Statistics Module

Automate statistical analysis of multiple data population types and study process capability

Stories

Ear bone erosion: SEM image 3D reconstruction helps identify cells responsible

Incus bone erosion is considered a typical characteristic of advanced cholesteatomas (CHO), a pathology of the ear. Researchers at the Sapienza University of Rome explain how they used SEM image reconstruction technique to solve the mystery of this pathology and discover which cell erodes the middle ear incus bone.

Assessing the tribological interface of mechanical parts

Researchers at the Luleå University of Technology and Scania in Sweden, recently investigated how surface topography influences oil film formation in tribological interfaces pertinent to gears. The study was oriented towards the improvement of fuel economy and sustainability. Jonny Hansen, a member of the research team, explains how Mountains® software was used to help achieve results.

Exploring hyperspectral maps of 2D materials

Tailoring 2D semiconductor heterostructures with specific bandgaps is a key aspect of leveraging new quantum materials for electronics and optoelectronics, one of the hot topics for researchers currently working in nanotech. Craig Wall, applications scientist at Montana Instruments, recently investigated the subject using Mountains® software to analyze results from Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence.

SEM analysis for improved wound care in burn patients

Bacterial infection of wounds is a major risk for patients undergoing skin grafts following severe burn injuries. Drs Monica Iliescu Nelea (left) & Michel Alain Danino, of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department at the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CHUM), Montreal, Canada are part of a group of researchers working on furthering medical understanding of this phenomenon.

SEM image 3D reconstruction of laser-structured surfaces

Ultrashort femtosecond lasers are known for their capacity to efficiently fabricate complex nanostructures and devices for a wide variety of applications. In two recent studies, the properties of femtosecond laser-structured surfaces were revealed thanks to a unique SEM image reconstruction technique.

Detecting tooth enamel erosion

Researchers in tissue engineering & biophotonics at King’s College London (UK) seeking to attain better understanding of tooth enamel erosion recently applied its methods to bring to light micro-scale surface changes over time.

Analyzing photoelectron spectroscopic measurements

Scientists from the ISEN (Institut Supérieur de l’Électronique et du Numérique) in Lille, France, used photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate a new method for growing PbS nanoplatelets on InP surfaces.

2D functional analysis of automotive surfaces

An automotive manufacturer used Mountains® software to study parameters associated with wear and lubrication.

Quality control of plastic graining on dashboard

A French car manufacturer performed quality control of automotive dashboard material (plastic). Measured data was checked to be in compliance with ISO 25178 parameters.

Testimonials

What People Are Saying

Dr. Sergei Magonov

AFM expert, SPM Labs LLC.

I myself have enjoyed working with Mountains® for a number of years. In my opinion, it is essential that AFM users work with specialized software packages such as those based on Digital Surf’s Mountains® platform.

Dr Angel Perez

Research scientist, Barcelona Institut of Material Science

We use several different kinds of instruments to characterize our samples. Mountains® provides multiple instrument compatibility and is able to deal with a wide variety of scientific analysis procedures

Rolandas Verbickas

Research electrochemist, Daido Metal Co., Ltd

I have to say that we did not realize at the beginning all the potential of Mountains^®. But from the moment we started to use we were very happy with the user-friendly interface and many available tools for performing image analysis. I would rate as a very satisfied customer.

Marina Raschetti

Institut FEMTO-ST, Besançon (France)

Mountains^® software is very versatile. The “operators” are intuitive and it is easy to access the “help” section for technical explanations. Contact with customer support, which is a must for any new user, is always very smooth and I always get a quick answer to my questions.

Dr Claudiu Giusca

Senior Lecturer in Sensor Technology for Precision In-process Measurement, Cranfield University

Mountains® is able to read specific files from different instrument manufacturers meaning it allows us to compare the results within the same visual platform. We like how results are visualized and when it comes down to applying your operators, the software is intuitive.

Peter Van Rompuy

Primary Lab Technician, Agfa-Gevaert

Superb software and great support!

In my opinion, Mountains® is the way to go if you want to raise the bar and get the most out of your topographic datasets.

Douglas Pysher

Advanced Research Specialist, 3M Electronics Materials Solutions Division

I have been a Mountains^® user since 1999. The technical support staff at Digital Surf have been very helpful over all these years. They have adapted the software to read custom data formats as well as provided application-specific advice on the use of some of the advanced features, such as the motifs analysis. Whenever any issues were found, Digital Surf has always responded quickly and always fixed the problem.

Danielle Macdonald

Assistant professor, University of Tusla

Mountains® software is an exceptional tool for the analysis of surface characteristics on archaeological artifacts. I use this software for the quantification of wear traces on stone tools, allowing us to identify and improve our knowledge of prehistoric human activities. The software is user-friendly and Digital Surf has excellent customer support, making Mountains® a fundamental tool for my research.

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