Frequency comb-based time-domain tracking of AFM cantilever dynamics from picometre-scale noise to micron-scale nonlinear motion

Yongjin Na; Junho Suh; Jungwon Kim

doi:10.1186/s43074-025-00197-0

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Yongjin Na, Junho Suh, Jungwon Kim. Frequency comb-based time-domain tracking of AFM cantilever dynamics from picometre-scale noise to micron-scale nonlinear motion[J]. PhotoniX. doi: 10.1186/s43074-025-00197-0

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Yongjin Na, Junho Suh, Jungwon Kim. Frequency comb-based time-domain tracking of AFM cantilever dynamics from picometre-scale noise to micron-scale nonlinear motion[J]. PhotoniX. doi: 10.1186/s43074-025-00197-0

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Frequency comb-based time-domain tracking of AFM cantilever dynamics from picometre-scale noise to micron-scale nonlinear motion

doi: 10.1186/s43074-025-00197-0

1.
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
2.
Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Korea

Funds: This research was supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea (Grants RS-2024–00334727, RS-2024–00436737, RS-2021-NR060086). J.S. acknowledges the support from the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea (Grants 2022M3H3A1064154, RS-2023–00207732).

Received Date: 2025-04-18
Accepted Date: 2025-09-12
Rev Recd Date: 2025-07-29

Available Online: 2025-10-06

Abstract

Abstract

The field of micro- and nano-mechanics has seen rapid advances driven by applications in sensing, microscopy, and precision instrumentation. Accurate, time-resolved characterization of mechanical dynamics is essential for understanding device behaviour and improving performance. However, conventional optical and electrical methods face trade-offs between sensitivity, linearity, and bandwidth, while frequency-domain approaches are limited in capturing transient dynamics. Here, we present a frequency comb-based time-domain tracking technique for directly observing the full-range dynamic motion of atomic force microscopy (AFM) micro-cantilevers. By leveraging electro-optic sampling between femtosecond optical pulses and ultra-precise photocurrent timing signals, our system enables real-time measurements across six orders of magnitude – from ~ 30 pm thermal fluctuations to ~ 20 µm nonlinear oscillations. The technique reveals complex behaviours including mode coupling, hysteresis, bifurcation, and transient modulation, while maintaining calibration fidelity through thermomechanical noise. This approach bridges the longstanding gap between ultra-sensitive and wide-range motion tracking, offering a powerful tool for studying nonlinear dynamics in micro- and nano-scale mechanical systems. Looking ahead, the method lays the groundwork for advances in high-resolution force sensing, AFM probe optimization, and the broader exploration of dynamic behaviour in precision microsystems.
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- Optical frequency comb')">" data-track="click" data-track-action="view keyword" data-track-label="link">Optical frequency comb,
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- Time-of-flight measurement')">" data-track="click" data-track-action="view keyword" data-track-label="link">Time-of-flight measurement,
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- Nonlinear dynamics')">" data-track="click" data-track-action="view keyword" data-track-label="link">Nonlinear dynamics,
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References(37)

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