A new device for exploring the landscape of microscopic interactions
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Presently there are two instruments that are commonly used for measuring weak forces: the classical torsion balance which was perfected by Cavendish in the 18th century and the atomic force microscope (AFM). The former excels at exquisite measurements of forces that have interaction ranges of more than 100 micrometers or so, and the latter is employed to measure interactions over length scales of less than 1 micrometer. The torsion balances have a sensitivity which is, by some measures, up to 6 orders of magnitude superior to that of the AFM. There is therefore a significant gap in our understanding of forces with ranges of the order of 100 micrometers and less. We will construct and demonstrate a novel hybrid device that will fill this gap. The new device will be based on a 3-wire suspension that will allow precision positioning of sample substrates using standard technologies. We will demonstrate the new instrument by measuring short range forces such as the Casimir or van der Waals interaction.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Clive Speake (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | We have established that the proposed new design of torsion balance as behaves essentially as predicted by simple theory. The new device with a 3 wire suspension is now being incorporated into an experimental set up designed to demonstrate expected low noise. We are developing the capability to measure forces between planes separated by as little as 50 micrometers. This will result in 2 publications. Update March 2025 We have had a paper accepted for publication in Review of Scientific Instruments 'Demonstration of the minimal coupling of horizontal accelerations to rotations in a torsion balance suspended from 3 wires'. Preprint : at arXiv:2411.10306 A device that will allow us to measure the Casimir force, for example has been contracted. We are working on a paper that reports our novel method of measuring the flatness of surfaces using nanomaniputation and precise capacitance measurement. |
| Exploitation Route | The new device may be used to measure Casimir force interactions between arbitrary materials such as metamaterials. |
| Sectors | Electronics |
| Description | Work is continuing in Birmingham on the project. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
| Description | Homodyne Interferometers for Space Applications |
| Organisation | Airbus Group |
| Department | Airbus Defence & Space |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Dr Christian Trenkel is the supervisor at Airbus for the CASE award. Miranda Bradshaw worked on an novel interferometer for use in Airbus space and defence. Miranda obtained her PhD but the work was not completed or used in Airbus. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Supervision of the project from the commercial point of view. Steering the development in a way that will be useful to commerce. The optical hardware for the PhD was largely purchased by the industrial partner. |
| Impact | PhD Thesis of Miranda Bradshaw and a publication |