Accurate calibration and uncertainty estimation of the normal spring constant of various AFM cantilevers

Sensors
Yunpeng SongXing Fu

Abstract

Measurement of force on a micro- or nano-Newton scale is important when exploring the mechanical properties of materials in the biophysics and nanomechanical fields. The atomic force microscope (AFM) is widely used in microforce measurement. The cantilever probe works as an AFM force sensor, and the spring constant of the cantilever is of great significance to the accuracy of the measurement results. This paper presents a normal spring constant calibration method with the combined use of an electromagnetic balance and a homemade AFM head. When the cantilever presses the balance, its deflection is detected through an optical lever integrated in the AFM head. Meanwhile, the corresponding bending force is recorded by the balance. Then the spring constant can be simply calculated using Hooke's law. During the calibration, a feedback loop is applied to control the deflection of the cantilever. Errors that may affect the stability of the cantilever could be compensated rapidly. Five types of commercial cantilevers with different shapes, stiffness, and operating modes were chosen to evaluate the performance of our system. Based on the uncertainty analysis, the expanded relative standard uncertainties of the normal spring constant of m...Continue Reading

References

Apr 20, 2005·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Lars-Oliver HeimHans-Jürgen Butt
Jul 7, 2007·The Review of Scientific Instruments·Benjamin Ohler
Nov 19, 2011·Ultramicroscopy·Joost te RietSylvia Speller
Jun 26, 2012·Nanotechnology·Ashley D SlatteryChristopher T Gibson
Nov 7, 2012·The Review of Scientific Instruments·John E SaderEvan J Bieske

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Citations

Sep 21, 2018·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Zihao Qu, J Carson Meredith
Sep 25, 2018·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Yu-Cheng ChiouMatteo Chiesa

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
AFM
force measurements
force measurement

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