Spring constant calibration in air - temperature

Sjoerd posted on Thu, Aug 18 2016 2:13 AM

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Hi all,

I recently optimized my approach for calibrating colloidal cantilevers. Before, I glued a bead on the cantilever, and measured the deflection sensitivity and performed the thermal tune both in liquid. The liquid and presence of the bead (10um) makes fitting an accurate curve in the thermal tune window a bit arbitrary because the peak falls off the spectrum and is assymetric. I found useful help here: http://nanoscaleworld.bruker-axs.com/nanoscaleworld/forums/p/1274/3436.aspx . I now measure the deflection sensitivity and spring constant in air, before glueing the bead on the cantilever. It is more reproducible and the fit looks very good, however I have one question regarding the temperature:

The actual experiment I want to do is in liquid at 37 degrees C. My spring constant is measured at ambient temperature since I can not heat up the air to 37 degrees. I measured the air temperature and took it into account in when calculating the spring constant (by entering the temp in the thermal tune window in Nanoscope). My question is whether I can use this spring constant for my measurements which will be performed at 37 degrees?

Thanks in advance,

Sjoerd 

System: Bioscope Catalyst