Sangmin An

A quartz tuning fork and its qPlus configuration show different characteristics in their dynamic features, including peak amplitude, resonance frequency, and quality factor. Here, we present an electromechanical model that comprehensively describes the dynamic responses of an electrically driven tuning fork and its qPlus configuration. Based on the model, we theoretically derive and experimentally validate how the peak amplitude, resonance frequency, quality factor, and normalized capacitance are changed when transforming a tuning fork to its qPlus configuration. Furthermore, we introduce two experimentally measurable parameters that are intrinsic for a given tuning fork and not changed by the qPlus configuration. The present model and analysis allow quantitative prediction of the dynamic characteristics in tuning fork and qPlus, and thus could be useful to optimize the sensors’ performance.

We introduce a nanopipette/quartz tuning fork (QTF)–atomic force microscope (AFM) for nanolithography and a nanorod/QTF–AFM for nanoscratching with in situ detection of shear dynamics during performance. Capillary-condensed nanoscale water meniscus-mediated and electric field-assisted small-volume liquid ejection and nanolithography in ambient conditions are performed at a low bias voltage (~10 V) via a nanopipette/QTF–AFM. We produce and analyze Au nanoparticle-aggregated nanowire by using nanomeniscus-based particle stacking via a nanopipette/QTF–AFM. In addition, we perform a nanoscratching technique using in situ detection of the mechanical interactions of shear dynamics via a nanorod/QTF–AFM with force sensor capability and high sensitivity.

Mechanical sensors provide core keys for high-end research in quantitative understanding of fundamental phenomena and practical applications such as the force or pressure sensor, accelerometer and gyroscope. In particular, in situ sensitive and reliable detection is essential for measurements of the mechanical vibration and displacement forces in inertial sensors or seismometers. However, enhancing sensitivity, reducing response time and equipping sensors with a measurement capability of bidirectional mechanical perturbations remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate the buckling cantilever-based non-linear dynamic mechanical sensor which addresses intrinsic limitations associated with high sensitivity, reliability and durability. The cantilever is attached on to a high-Q tuning fork and initially buckled by being pressed against a solid surface while a flexural stress is applied. Then, buckling instability occurs near the bifurcation region due to lateral movement, which allows high-sensitive detection of the lateral and perpendicular surface acoustic waves with bandwidth-limited temporal response of less than 1 ms.

Buckling, first introduced by Euler in 1744 [Euler L (1744) Opera Omnia I 24:231], a sudden mechanical sideways deflection of a structural member under compressive stress, represents a bifurcation in the solution to the equations of static equilibrium. Although it has been investigated in diverse research areas, such a common nonlinear phenomenon may be useful to devise a unique mechanical sensor that addresses the still-challenging features, such as the enhanced sensitivity and polarization-dependent detection capability. We demonstrate the bifurcation-enhanced sensitive measurement of mechanical vibrations using the nonlinear buckled cantilever tip in ambient conditions. The cantilever, initially buckled with its tip pinned, flips its buckling near the bifurcation point (BP), where the buckled tip becomes softened. The enhanced mechanical sensitivity results from the increasing fluctuations, unlike the typical linear sensors, which facilitate the noise-induced buckling-to-flipping transition of the softened cantilever. This allows the in situ continuous or repeated single-shot detection of the surface acoustic waves of different polarizations without any noticeable wear of the tip. We obtained the sensitivity above 10⁶ V(m/s)⁻¹, a 1,000-fold enhancement over the conventional seismometers. Our results lead to development of mechanical sensors of high sensitivity, reproducibility, and durability, which may be applied to detect, e.g., the directional surface waves on the laboratory as well as the geological scale. Significance This work brings together the fields of nonlinear dynamics and precision measurement, aiming to develop a highly sensitive nonlinear mechanical force sensor. We use dynamic force spectroscopy of the buckled cantilever tip in an ambient condition, which allows sensitive detection of the noise-induced flipping near the bifurcation point. Key parameters, such as the fluctuation enhancement and the activation barrier of the buckling-to-flipping transition, lead to realization of the bifurcation-enhanced sensor. We contiguously observe the buckling–flipping dynamic transition of the softened tip resulting from the competition between fluctuation and bifurcation, providing the in situ continuous sensing of the mechanical vibrations. This work not only furthers our understanding of nonlinear dynamics at the nanoscale, but also is a stepping stone toward the highly sensitive mechanical sensor.