Direct measurement of lateral force using dual cantilevers.
We have constructed an experimental system to measure a piconewton lateral force using dual cantilevers which cross with each other. The resolution of the lateral force is estimated to be 3.3 p ± 0.2 pN, which is comparable to forces due to thermal fluctuation. This experimental apparatus works so easily that it will enable us to determine forces during nano-manipulation and nano-tribological measurements.
Department of Physics, Aichi University of Education, Igaya-cho, Kariya, Japan. makoishi@auecc.aichi-edu.ac.jp
Makoto
M
Ishikawa
Masaya
M
Ichikawa
Kouji
K
Miura