Theoretical Analyses of Cantilever Oscillation for Dynamic Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquids

We developed an efficient numerical method to simulate the oscillation motion of an elastic body of cantilever in liquids for measurements of dynamic atomic force microscopy (AFM). In this method the dynamics of the cantilever elastic body is solved simultaneously with the fluid motion caused by the cantilever oscillation. The results of the resonance curves both for the amplitude and the bending angle reproduce experimental features fairly well. The effects of the tapping processes of the tip to the oscillation are analyzed for various types of the tapping processes. The simulation method can be used for the analyses of the experimental data of the dynamic AFM in liquids and for designing the optimal shape of the cantilever and for choosing an appropriate experimental mode.