Hi Derek, The laser on an AFM is used for positioning, not for shaping anything. The needle is not visible by naked eye since it is only a few atoms across. It can move atoms which are on a surface
Depends on the size of your cushion. See the following article for 'nano-springs': http://www.nano.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=385 Then there are advances in the area of cushions for automotive use:

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