Objective Large-scale instruments are important supports for conducting high-level scientific research and experimental teaching, and they are also important carriers for enhancing students' practical and innovative abilities. Due to their high precision, expensive price, and strong professionalism, students have limited opportunities to access and use large-scale instruments. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to enhance the integration of large-scale instruments with undergraduate experimental teaching, shorten the distance between large-scale instruments and undergraduate students, and give full play to their role in cultivating students' practical and innovative abilities.

Analysis The atomic force microscope was applied to the undergraduate comprehensive teaching experiment. A teaching mode combining three methods, namely pre-class guidance, on-site classroom teaching and extracurricular independent experiments, was adopted. The sample preparation methods and various factors affecting the clarity of atomic force microscope images were explored.

Conclusion This comprehensive teaching experiment has cultivated students' practical ability, strengthened their interdisciplinary integration ability, broadened their horizons, enhanced their interest in scientific research, and improved their innovative consciousness, which is conducive to the cultivation of top-notch innovative talents.