Characterization and evaluation of the microcantilever radiation detector

In this study, a microcantilever charged-particle detector was characterized and evaluated. The method employed involved sensing an electric field emanating from a small collector plate on which charge built up to charged-particle flux.Sensitivity to alpha particles was determined using frequency and damping rate parameter shifts. Alpha particle detection experiments were compared to experiments using a charged plate of fixed voltage in order to characterize response more fully and to identify differences between expected charge accumulation and actual accumulation. Changes in cantilever behavior resulting from changes in ambient environmental conditions were also studied in order to determine to what extent they would impact charged-particle detection. In particular, microcantilever tip-surface adhesion force and jump-to-contact distance were studied as a function of relative humidity, and the dynamics of the liquid neck extending between the micro cantilever tip and the surface at small separation distances were investigated. In addition, relationship between the angle of the microcantilever tip relative to the surface and the excitation of multiple resonance modes was identified and described.