High Q resonating cantilevers for in situ measurements of ferromagnetic films

We describe micro cantilevers developed for in-situ measurements of ultra-thin ferromagnetic films. The cantilevers are optimized for use in a resonating torque micro-balance magnetometer that measures the magnetic moment of thin films as they are being deposited on to the cantilever. Dynamic feedback is used to balance the magnetic torque by applying a mechanical force at the base of the cantilever that is equal and opposite to the magnetic torque. The dynamic feedback minimizes mass loading and temperature dependent elastic modulus effects that change the resonant frequency of the cantilever during deposition