NanoWorld® Pointprobe® NCSTR AFM probes are designed for non-contact or soft tapping mode imaging. The combination of soft AFM cantilever and fairly high resonance frequency enables stable and fast measurements with reduced AFM tip-sample interaction. Thus, AFM tip and sample wear could be significantly decreased.

All probes of the Pointprobe® series are made from monolithic silicon which is highly doped to dissipate static charge. They are chemically inert and offer a high mechanical Q-factor for high sensitivity. The AFM tip is shaped like a polygon based pyramid with a typical height of 10 - 15 µm.

Additionally, this AFM probe offers a typical tip radius of curvature of less than 8 nm.

For applications requiring lower resonance frequencies or an AFM cantilever length exceeding 150 µm we recommend our Pointprobe® type NCLR. For standard non-contact / tapping mode application we recommend our Pointprobe® type NCHR.

A trapezoidal cross section of the AFM cantilever and therefore 30% wider (e.g. NCH) AFM cantilever detector side result in easier and faster laser adjustment. Additionally, because there is simply more space to place and reflect the laser beam, a higher SUM signal is reached.

Aluminum Reflex Coating

The aluminum reflex coating consists of a 30 nm thick aluminum layer deposited on the detector side of the AFM cantilever which enhances the reflectance of the laser beam by a factor of 2.5. Furthermore it prevents light from interfering within the AFM cantilever.