The possibility to measure forces involving particles and surfaces directly is essential since such forces are relevant in a variety of processes involving colloidal and polymeric systems. Examples include particle aggregation, suspension rheology, particle deposition, and adhesion processes. One can equally study similar biological phenomena, such as deposition of bacteria or the infection of cells by viruses. Forces are equally most informative to investigate the mechanical properties of interfaces, bubbles, capsules, membranes, or cell walls. Such measurements permit to make conclusions about the elastic or plastic deformation or eventual rupture in such systems.
The colloidal probe technique provides a versatile tool to measure such forces between a colloidal particle and a planar substrate or between two colloidal particles (see figure above). The particles used in such experiments have typically a diameter between 1–10 μm. Typical applications involve measurements of electrical double layer forces and the corresponding surface potentials or surface charge, van der Waals forces, or forces induced by adsorbed polymers.