Measuring Boltzmann's constant with a low-cost atomic force microscope: An undergraduate experiment.

Autor/inn/en	Shusteff, M.; Burg, T. P.; Manalis, S. R.
Titel	Measuring Boltzmann's constant with a low-cost atomic force microscope: An undergraduate experiment.
Quelle	In: American journal of physics, 74 (2006) 10, S. 873-879 PDF als Volltext Link als defekt meldenVerfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	online; gedruckt; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0002-9505; 1943-2909
DOI	10.1119/1.2335475
Schlagwörter	Rasterkraftmikroskopie; Boltzmann-Konstante; Low-Cost-Experiment; Physik
Abstract	We discuss a low-cost atomic force microscope that we have designed and built for use in an undergraduate teaching laboratory. This microscope gives students hands-on access to nano-Newton force measurements and subangstrom position measurements. The apparatus relies mainly on off-the-shelf components and utilizes an interferometric position sensor known as the interdigitated (ID) cantilever to obtain high resolution. The mechanical properties of the ID readout enable a robust and open design that makes it possible for students to directly control it. Its pedagogical advantage is that students interact with a complete instrument system and learn measurement principles in context. One undergraduate experiment enabled by this apparatus is a measurement of Boltzmann's constant, which is done by recording the thermal noise power spectrum of a microfabricated cantilever beam. In addition to gaining an appreciation of the lower limits of position and force measurements, students learn to apply numerous concepts such as digital sampling, Fourier-domain analysis, noise sources, and error propagation. © 2006 American Association of Physics Teachers.
Erfasst von	Arbeitsgruppe Didaktik der Physik, Universität Osnabrück
Update	2007/1