The .ezd file, or easyScan Data File, is a proprietary format created by Nanosurf specifically for saving data gathered from their atomic force microscopes (AFMs). These powerful instruments produce incredibly detailed images at the nanoscale, capturing surface topography, phase information reflecting material properties, and amplitude data representing the cantilever’s oscillation. An .ezd file doesn’t just hold the raw image data; it also includes crucial metadata. This metadata is essential for understanding the context of the scan, including details like the scan size, scan rate, setpoint values, and the specific AFM settings used during the experiment. This rich information is vital for accurate data interpretation and reproducibility of the experiment. Losing this metadata could render the image data less useful.
Because .ezd is a proprietary format, opening it requires Nanosurf’s own software, easyScan. This software is usually included with the purchase of a Nanosurf AFM system. If you have received an .ezd file and lack easyScan, you’ll need to contact the data’s originator or Nanosurf directly to request access to the data in a more widely compatible format, such as a standard image file like TIFF or a data file like a spreadsheet. Attempting to open an .ezd file with incompatible software will likely result in an error or inability to view the data. Therefore, understanding the specialized nature of this file format is crucial for proper handling and analysis.