Published September 2016 | v1
Journal Article Open

A virtual instrument to standardise the calibration of atomic force microscope cantilevers

Abstract

Atomic force microscope (AFM) users often calibrate the spring constants of cantilevers using functionality built into individual instruments. This calibration is performed without reference to a global standard, hindering the robust comparison of force measurements reported by different laboratories. Here, we describe a virtual instrument (an internet-based initiative) whereby users from all laboratories can instantly and quantitatively compare their calibration measurements to those of others—standardising AFM force measurements—and simultaneously enabling non-invasive calibration of AFM cantilevers of any geometry. This global calibration initiative requires no additional instrumentation or data processing on the part of the user. It utilises a single website where users upload currently available data. A proof-of-principle demonstration of this initiative is presented using measured data from five independent laboratories across three countries, which also allows for an assessment of current calibration.

Copyright and License

© 2016 Author(s). Published by AIP Publishing.

Acknowledgement

Authors thank Hector Cavazos from AFM MicroDevices for valuable discussions and acknowledge support from the MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF), RMIT University, and Babs Fairchild; A.D.S., C.J.S., C.T.G., Heyou Z., Hongrui Z., J.E.S., J.T., M.J.H., P.M., and T.Z. from the Australian Research Council Grants Scheme; A.D.S., C.J.S., and C.T.G. from the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility; D.B.H., P.-A.T., and R.B. from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the Olle Engqvist Foundation, and the Swedish Research Council (VR); J.I.K. from Science Foundation Ireland (Grant No. SFI12/IA/1449) and the Nanoscale Electrical Metrology project funded by the Collaborative Centre for Applied Nanotechnology (CCAN); M.J.H. from an ARC Australian Research Fellowship, the Australian National Fabrication Facility, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (University of Wollongong).

Additional Information

See supplementary material for measured data on all cantilevers and a demonstration of the effect of surface proximity on the resonant frequency and quality factor.

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Additional details

Created:
October 11, 2023
Modified:
October 11, 2023