A self-calibrating optomechanical force sensor with femtonewton resolution

Journal Article · Mon Dec 08 00:00:00 EST 2014 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4903801· OSTI ID:22395495

Melcher, John; Stirling, Julian; Pratt, Jon R.; Shaw, Gordon A. ^[1]; Cervantes, Felipe Guzmán ^[1]

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1. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899 (United States)

We report the development of an ultrasensitive optomechanical sensor designed to improve the accuracy and precision of force measurements with atomic force microscopy. The sensors reach quality factors of 4.3 × 10{sup 6} and force resolution on the femtonewton scale at room temperature. Self-calibration of the sensor is accomplished using radiation pressure to create a reference force. Self-calibration enables in situ calibration of the sensor in extreme environments, such as cryogenic ultra-high vacuum. The senor technology presents a viable route to force measurements at the atomic scale with uncertainties below the percent level.

• OSTI ID: 22395495
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 105, Issue 23; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCURACY
ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY
CALIBRATION
DESIGN
QUALITY FACTOR
RADIATION PRESSURE
RESOLUTION
SENSORS
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0273-0400 K