Direct Surface Force Measurement Techniques

Abstract

Techniques for the direct measurement of interactions between two bodies as a function of the distance of separation of their surfaces are reviewed. These include methods based on osmotic equilibria, force measurement devices using macroscopic solid surfaces (surface force balances, surface force apparatus, atomic force microscope, etc), and force measurement techniques on individual freely moving particles (total internal reflection microscopy, etc). The advantages and limitations of each of the techniques are discussed and illustrative results are presented.