ABSTRACT
An atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique is described combining two operating modes that previously were mutually exclusive: gentle imaging of delicate surfaces requiring slow dynamic AFM techniques, and passive feedback contact mode AFM enabling ultra-fast imaging. A high-frequency force modulation is used to excite resonant modes in the MHz range of a highly compliant cantilever force sensor with a spring constant of 0.1 N m( - 1). The high-order mode acts as a stiff system for modulating the tip-sample distance and a vibration amplitude of 1 nm is sufficient to overcome the adhesion interaction. The soft cantilever provides a force-controlled support for the vibrating tip, enabling high-speed intermittent contact force microscopy without feedback control of the cantilever bending. Using this technique, we were able to image delicate polymer surfaces and to completely suppress the formation of the ripple wear patterns that are commonly observed in contact AFM.
ABSTRACT
We report the specific transduction, via surface stress changes, of DNA hybridization and receptor-ligand binding into a direct nanomechanical response of microfabricated cantilevers. Cantilevers in an array were functionalized with a selection of biomolecules. The differential deflection of the cantilevers was found to provide a true molecular recognition signal despite large nonspecific responses of individual cantilevers. Hybridization of complementary oligonucleotides shows that a single base mismatch between two 12-mer oligonucleotides is clearly detectable. Similar experiments on protein A-immunoglobulin interactions demonstrate the wide-ranging applicability of nanomechanical transduction to detect biomolecular recognition.
Subject(s)
Gold/chemistry , Immunoglobulin Constant Regions/chemistry , Nucleic Acid Hybridization , Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/chemistry , Silicon/chemistry , Staphylococcal Protein A/chemistry , Animals , Antibody Specificity , Base Pair Mismatch , Base Pairing , Chemical Phenomena , Chemistry, Physical , Goats , Hydrogen Bonding , Ligands , Rabbits , Static Electricity , Stress, Mechanical , Thionucleotides/chemistryABSTRACT
We present quantitative and qualitative detection of analyte vapors using a microfabricated silicon cantilever array. To observe transduction of physical and chemical processes into nanomechanical motion of the cantilever, swelling of a polymer layer on the cantilever is monitored during exposure to the analyte. This motion is tracked by a beam-deflection technique using a time multiplexing scheme. The response pattern of eight cantilevers is analyzed via principal component analysis (PCA) and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques, which facilitates the application of the device as an artificial chemical nose. Analytes tested comprise chemical solvents, a homologous series of primary alcohols, and natural flavors. First differential measurements of surface stress change due to protein adsorption on a cantilever array are shown using a liquid cell.
ABSTRACT
We present measurements of the spatial response of infrared dipole and bow-tie lithographic antennas. Focused 10.6-microm radiation was scanned in two dimensions across the receiving area of each antenna. Deconvolution of the beam profile allowed the spatial response to be measured. The in-plane width of the antenna's spatial response extends approximately one dielectric wavelength beyond the metallic structure. Determination of an antenna's spatial response is important for several reasons. The power collected by the antenna can be calculated, if the collection area and the input irradiance (watts per square centimeter) are known. The actual power collected by the antenna is required for computation of responsivity and noise-equivalent power. In addition, the spatial response provides insight into the current-wave modes that propagate on an antenna and the nature of the fringe fields that exist in the adjacent dielectric.
ABSTRACT
We present measurements at 10.6 microm that demonstrate electronic tuning of the polarization response of asymmetric-spiral infrared antennas connected to Ni-NiO-Ni diodes. Continuous variation of the bias voltage applied to the diode results in a rotation of the principal axis of the polarization ellipse of the spiral antenna. A 90 degrees tuning range is measured for a bias voltage that varies from -160 to +160 mV .This effect is caused by a small asymmetry of the deposited diode contact or by a variation of the detector capacitance with the applied bias voltage.
ABSTRACT
We present measurements on the polarization response of Ni-NiO-Ni diodes coupled to asymmetric spiral antennas. Our data are for the wavelength dependence of the orientation of the major axis of the polarization ellipse over the wavelength range 10.2-10.7 mum. The data are well fit by a two-wire antenna model. We find that the modes excited on the antenna are a combination of the balanced and unbalanced modes of a two-wire lossy transmission line.
