A virtual instrument to standardise the calibration of atomic force microscope cantilevers

作者：Sader John E^*; Borgani Riccardo; Gibson Christopher T; Haviland David B; Higgins Michael J; Kilpatrick Jason I; Lu Jianing; Mulvaney Paul; Shearer Cameron J; Slattery Ashley D; Thoren Per Anders; Tran Jim; Zhang Heyou; Zhang Hongrui; Zheng Tian

来源：Review of Scientific Instruments, 2016, 87(9): 093711.

DOI：10.1063/1.4962866

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. Published by AIP Publishing.

• 出版日期2016-9