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Autor/inn/en | Shusteff, M.; Burg, T. P.; Manalis, S. R. |
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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 |
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 |