Dynamics analysis of a V-shaped microcantilever based on finite difference method

Abstract The V-shaped microcantilever is advantageous for its high sensitivity and low stiffness, making it suitable as an atomic force microscope probe for characterizing the mechanical properties of soft materials. However, due to the complex geometry and the nonlinear tip-sample interaction, the analysis of the dynamic characteristics of a V-shaped microcantilever is generally difficult. In this paper, the finite difference computational formula of the governing formula and boundary conditions of a V-shaped microcantilever is derived and the analysis of its dynamic characteristics is performed. The amplitude and phase spectroscopy curves of the V-shaped microcantilever, as well as the frequency response, are obtained. The developed finite difference computational formula provides an effective approach for dynamics analysis and the optimization design for the V-shaped microcantilever.