Ian Wark Research Institute,
University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes SA 5095 Australia.
Rev. Sci. Instrum. 71, 2746-2750 (2000)
Abstract
We present a direct one step technique to measure
the torsional spring constant of cantilevers
used for lateral or friction measurements
with the atomic force microscope.
The method simultaneously calibrates the photodiode response
to the angular deflection of the cantilever.
It does not rely upon any approximate theory for friction,
nor upon any simplified model cantilever geometry or elasticity.
The technique is verified by comparison
with the calculated spring constant
and with an independent measurement of the angle calibration.
This non destructive calibration may be performed
with any type of cantilever, and the friction may subsequently
be measured with any type of substrate or probe.
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