Reproducible attachment of micrometer sized particles to atomic force microscopy cantilevers

We present a method, which allows attaching micrometer sized spheres to an atomic force microscope cantilever in a reproducible manner. Spheres of different size with a minimum amount of glue are attached to a predefined position on the cantilever. This is performed by using an optical microscope and a laser-pulled micropipette, which guarantees nondestructive handling of the delicate cantilever beams. The method employs a simple setup consisting of a stereomicroscope and a micromanipulator. Images of the modified cantilevers were taken with a scanning electron microscope to clarify the position of the glued spheres on the cantilever. Electron dispersive x-ray analysis reveals that the surface of the microsphere is not covered with the glue, except at the contact area to the cantilever. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.