Set point is just a non physical meaning word. You can see there are a lot of set point value for AFM. Set point are used for different way. From word meaning, Set point mean 設定值. They are used for feedback control. For constant set point operation, During AFM scanning, tip deflection or amplitude change out of set point, the Z piezo will change position to make make system back to set point value. The Z change position is our surface height data. For constnat height operation, Z piezo does not move, so we get tip delflection or amplitude change data.
Different companies and AFM mode define set point differently.
Why we need to adjust sep point a little lower ?
For Tapping mode, there are 2 set point value.
(1) Set point : You can think it is hight adjustment (not really, there is a complex formular from manual. During engae, the system maker define set point valur from your initial scan parameters to make sure tip not tapping surface to hard to broken tip or surface. The engage will automatic stop to let tip height and amplitude combination just light tapping surface. Someone call this this false engae. During this stage, tip just touch surface very light. Maybe not touch the bottom of suface feature. If there is a fluid layer above surface, you will see feedback is not stable and can not see sharp image. For good feedback, we need to let tip touch all of surface. So adjust a smaller set point can let tip close to surface and really touch surface. You also can increase Amplitude set point to get same purpose.
(2)Amplitude set point : This is to define amplitude of tip vibration. You also can increase Amplitude set point to get same purpose.
http://www.tbcl.com.tw/Product/SPM/SPM.htm has drive oscillation simuator to help you to know this relationship.