Dynamic effects on force measurements. 2. Lubrication and the atomic force microscope

We present the results of investigations of high-speed drainage of a thin film confined between a microscopic colloidal probe and a substrate performed with a new atomic force microscope-related setup. Theoretical calculations are used to formulate the governing equation (force balance) for instantaneous deflection of a cantilever spring, which is due to both concentrated forces acting on a colloidal probe and viscous drag force on a cantilever itself. The suggested way to subtract the latter contribution allows design of a lubrication experiment. Two pairs of interacting solids, characterized by different wettability and smoothness, immersed into water−electrolyte solutions have been studied. Results for hydrophilic silica surfaces are in excellent agreement with the Reynolds theory of hydrodynamic lubrication. Faster drainage of a thin film confined between hydrophobic rough polystyrene surfaces is consistent with the theory of film drainage between slippery surfaces. The slip lengths are found to be of...