John E Sader et al 2005 Nanotechnology 16 S94 doi:10.1088/0957-4484/16/3/018
John E Sader1,4, Takayuki Uchihashi2, Michael J Higgins2, Alan Farrell2, Yoshikazu Nakayama3 and Suzanne P Jarvis2
Show affiliationsUse of the atomic force microscope (AFM) in quantitative force measurements inherently requires a theoretical framework enabling conversion of the observed deflection properties of the cantilever to an interaction force. In this paper, the theoretical foundations of using frequency modulation atomic force microscopy (FM-AFM) in quantitative force measurements are examined and rigorously elucidated, with consideration being given to both 'conservative' and 'dissipative' interactions. This includes a detailed discussion of the underlying assumptions involved in such quantitative force measurements, the presentation of globally valid explicit formulae for evaluation of so-called 'conservative' and 'dissipative' forces, discussion of the origin of these forces, and analysis of the applicability of FM-AFM to quantitative force measurements in liquid.
Issue 3 (March 2005)
Received 22 November 2004, in final form 12 December 2004
Published 25 January 2005
John E Sader et al 2005 Nanotechnology 16 S94
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