title: 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.
authors: School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors: John E
authors: JE
authors: Sader
authors: Nanostructure Physics, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Roslagstullsbacken 21, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Riccardo
authors: R
authors: Borgani
authors: Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia.
authors: Christopher T
authors: CT
authors: Gibson
authors: Nanostructure Physics, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Roslagstullsbacken 21, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: David B
authors: DB
authors: Haviland
authors: ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Australian Institute for Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Higgins
authors: Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors: Jason I
authors: JI
authors: Kilpatrick
authors: School of Chemistry and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors: Jianing
authors: J
authors: Lu
authors: School of Chemistry and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Mulvaney
authors: Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia.
authors: Cameron J
authors: CJ
authors: Shearer
authors: Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia.
authors: Ashley D
authors: AD
authors: Slattery
authors: Nanostructure Physics, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Roslagstullsbacken 21, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Per-Anders
authors: PA
authors: Thorén
authors: School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors: Jim
authors: J
authors: Tran
authors: School of Chemistry and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors: Heyou
authors: H
authors: Zhang
authors: ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Australian Institute for Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia.
authors: Hongrui
authors: H
authors: Zhang
authors: ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Australian Institute for Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia.
authors: Tian
authors: T
authors: Zheng