Author

John Hazel

Date of Award

8-1999

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Civil and Construction Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Valdimir Tsukruk

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Principles of surface science and engineering are applied to determine scanned probe microscope cantilever spring constants. The bi-component gold-ceramic cantilever composition is modeled analytically. Finite element analysis is applied to simulate deflection behavior of the probe tip. Data from experimental determination of resonant frequency are employed to infer material characteristics. Combination of the results from these three procedures is employed to infer material characteristics. Combination of the results from these three procedures is used to produce a spring constant assessment within 10% of actual values. An additional convenient program for assessment of scanning probe microscopy cantilever spring constants is developed for rapid estimation with 20% accuracy.

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