Journal article
Thermal noise limitations on micromechanical experiments
European biophysics journal, Vol.27(1), pp.75-81
01/1998
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/107046
Abstract
Thermal motions of microscopic probes limit the possibilities of experiments that are designed to resolve single-macromolecule dynamics in aqueous conditions. We investigate theoretical strategies for maximizing signal-to-noise ratios or resolution in typical situations, illustratin+g our discussion with examples from optical tweezers and atomic force microscopy experiments. A central result is that the viscous drag on a micromechanical probe is more important than the compliance of the probe. Within limits, increased stiffness of an AFM cantilever or of an optical trap does not increase resolution, and decreased stiffness does not provide the possibility of less invasive measurements.
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Details
- Title
- Thermal noise limitations on micromechanical experiments
- Creators
- Frederick Gittes - Department of Physics, and Biophysics Research Division, University of Michigan, 930 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA USC. F Schmidt - Department of Physics, and Biophysics Research Division, University of Michigan, 930 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA US
- Publication Details
- European biophysics journal, Vol.27(1), pp.75-81
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy, Department of
- Publisher
- Springer-Verlag; Berlin/Heidelberg
- Identifiers
- 99900546795001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article