Not-So-Precious: Stripping Gold From AFM Probes Allows Better Measurement of Picoscale Forces (IMAGE)

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Not-So-Precious: Stripping Gold From AFM Probes Allows Better Measurement of Picoscale Forces

Caption

This is an artist's conception of JILA's advance in atomic force microscope (AFM) design. To measure picoscale forces in liquid, a AFM probe attaches to a molecule such as DNA and pulls, and the deflection of the probe is measured. JILA researchers found that probes with the gold coating removed (purple in the illustration) make measurements that are 10 times more stable and precise than those made with conventional gold-coated probes. Gold helps reflect the laser light but it can also potentially crack, age, and creep, which degrades its mechanical properties and reduces measurement precision.

Credit

Baxley/JILA

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.