title: Calibration of AFM cantilever spring constants.
abstract: In this paper we present two simple, reliable and readily applicable methods for calibrating cantilevers and measuring the thickness of thin gold films. The spring constant calibration requires knowledge of the Young's modulus, density of the cantilever and resonant frequency. The thickness of thin gold layers was determined by measuring changes in the resonant frequency and Q-factor of beam shaped AFM cantilevers before and after coating. The techniques for measuring the spring constant and thin film thickness provide accuracy on the order of 10-15%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Cambridge University, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK. ctg22@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: Christopher T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Brandon L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abell
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rayment
authors.forename: Sverre
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Myhra