Abstract: A method of reconstructing the shape of an atomic force microscope. The shape of the probe, which is represented by a tip function, is derived from an image taken of a colloidal gold ball by the atomic force microscope. Since the size and shape of the colloidal gold ball is known, the probe shape can readily be determined. After the probe shape has been determined, it is possible to deconvolve or enhance the image of a target sample. This is done by removing the effect of the probe from the target sample image. Further, it is also possible to co-adsorb the colloidal gold balls with the target sample molecules to allow the simultaneous determination of the probe shape and the sample molecule shape.