意大利A.P.E. Research
意大利A.P.E Research公司生产的近场扫描光学显微镜（SNOM）广泛应用于生物组织及细胞分析领域。它可以灵活地将原子力显微镜（AFM）、拉曼光谱效应分析、共聚焦功能集成为一体，为科研工作者提供全面的生物分析数据。

A.P.E. Research develops and produces very high-resolution probe microscopes (SPM), systems and instrumentation for surface and condensed matter physics.
The company was established in 1996 by five young researchers in the surface science field together with an expert in finance business economics. The goal was the creation of a new enterprise exploiting their experience in physics of the surfaces gathered at the research institutes in Italy and abroad.
The company started at the AREA Science Park in 1997 and since 1999 is officially recognized as a spin-off from the INFM (Italian National Institute for Condensed Matter Physics).

 

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A.P.E. Research is now active in several specialized sectors:

Probe microscopy
The company has its own laboratory for instrumentation development and in addition participates at several research projects of Italian research institutes (University, INFM, CNR) in developing new scanning probe microscopes and new techniques for probe microscopy. The result of this research activity is that the company products are always the state of the art in the specific field. The A.P.E. Research catalog contains a base versions of Scanning Tunneling Microscopes (STM), Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM) and Near Field Optical Microscopes (SNOM). All of these products can be customized to meet the needs of the customer.

Scientific instrumentation for surface physics
In this field of activity A.P.E. Research projects and develops custom analysis Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) system suited to the specific research needs. The company has also developed new replacement electronic devices to control old surface analysis instruments like Ion guns, UV lamps and electron analyzers. These modern-designed control electronics improve the performance of old systems, avoiding the full replacement of the analysis instruments.

Development of new software areas for real-time microscopy
Implementation of image processing algorithm on visual system for real time analysis. Application include: time evolution of morphological parameters, intensity evolution of light sources, cells dynamics (vs time and space).

New biological analysis methods of investigation in biology based on use of probe microscopes.
A.P.E. Research has an SPM Biology Lab in which researchers and technicians are involved in the biological and biomedical research and applications (such as alteration of red cells and other biological structures) performed using SPM microscopy techniques. This research is performed in collaboration with University and ICGEB.