skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Dynamic measurement and modeling of the Casimir force at the nanometer scale

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3302565· OSTI ID:21347270
; ;  [1]
  1. Bio-Inspired Sensors and Optoelectronics Laboratory (BISOL), EECS, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, Illinois 60208 (United States)

We present a dynamic method for measurement of the Casimir force with an atomic force microscope (AFM) with a conventional AFM tip. With this method, originally based on the phase of vibration of the AFM tip, we are able to verify the Casimir force at distances of nearly 6 nm with an AFM tip that has a radius of curvature of nearly 100 nm. Until now dynamic methods have been done using large metal spheres at greater distances. Also presented is a theoretical model based on the harmonic oscillator, including nonidealities. This model accurately predicts the experimental data.

OSTI ID:
21347270
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 96, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3302565; (c) 2010 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English