A method for calculating solvation structure on a sample surface from a force curve between a probe and the sample: One-dimensional version

Abstract

Recent surface force apparatus (SFA) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) can measure force curves between a probe and a sample surface in solvent. The force curve is thought as the solvation structure in some articles, because its shape is generally oscilltive and pitch of the oscillation is about the same as diameter of the solvent. However, it is not the solvation structure. It is only the force between the probe and the sample surface. Therefore, this brief paper presents a method for calculating the solvation structure from the force curve. The method is constructed by using integral equation theory, a statistical mechanics of liquid (Ornstein-Zernike equation coupled by hypernetted-chain closure). This method is considered to be important for elucidation of the solvation structure on a sample surface.