Quantitative assessment of sample stiffness and sliding friction from force curves in atomic force microscopy

Published

February 18, 2010

Author(s)

Jon R. Pratt, Gordon A. Shaw, Lee Kumanchik, Nancy Burnham

Abstract

It has long been recognized that the angular deflection of a typical atomic force microscope (AFM) cantilever under normal loading conditions can be profoundly influenced by the friction between the tip and the surface. It is shown here, that a remarkably quantifiable hysteresis occurs in the slope of normal force loading curves whenever the stiffness of the AFM cantilever is greater than that of the sample. This situation arises naturally in cantilever-on-cantilever calibration, but also when trying to measure the stiffness of nano-mechanical devices or test structures, or when probing any type of surface or structure that is much more compliant along the normal axis than along the lateral axes. Expressions and techniques for evaluating the coefficient of sliding friction between the cantilever tip and sample from normal force curves, as well as relations for determining the stiffness of a mechanically compliant sample are presented. The model is experimentally supported by the results of cantilever-on-cantilever spring constant calibrations. The cantilever stiffnesses determined agree with the values determined on the NIST electrostatic force balance (EFB) within the limits of the largest uncertainty component, which had a relative value less than 2.5 %. This points the way for quantitative testing of micro- and nanomechanical components, more accurate calibration of AFM force, and provides nanotribologists access to information about contact friction from normal force curves without having to sacrifice imaging capabilities.

Citation

Journal of Applied Physics

Volume

107

Issue

4

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

atomic force microscope, friction, calibration

Citation

Pratt, J. , Shaw, G. , Kumanchik, L. and Burnham, N. (2010), Quantitative assessment of sample stiffness and sliding friction from force curves in atomic force microscopy, Journal of Applied Physics (Accessed October 17, 2025)