Type: USC-F2-k3

Ultra-Short Cantilevers (for High-Speed AFM)

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Cantilever Data Value Range*
Resonance Frequency 2000 kHz 1500 - 2500 kHz
Force Constant 3 N/m 2 - 5 N/m
Length 10 µm 9 - 11 µm
Mean Width 5 µm 4.5 - 5.5 µm
Thickness 0.28 µm 0.26 - 0.3 µm

This AFM probe has alignment grooves on the back side of the support chip.

USC cantilever 3D view

USC cantilever 3D view More images

Product Description

NanoWorld® Ultra-Short Cantilevers (USC) for High-Speed AFM (HS-AFM) combine very small AFM cantilevers capable of resonating in the MHz regime and a very sharp and wear resistant AFM tip.
 
The AFM cantilever of the USC series is rectangular and made of a quartz-like material. A gold layer is deposited on both sides of the AFM cantilever in order to enhance the reflectance of the laser beam, but the AFM tip remains uncoated.

The wear resistant AFM tip has been developed together with nanotools GmbH and sustains high velocity scans over long distances. It is made of High Density Carbon/Diamond Like Carbon (HDC/DLC) material which is hard and wear resistant. It has a height of 2.5 microns and a radius of curvature smaller than 10 nm. The aspect ratio is in the order of 5 : 1 and the tilt compensation is 8° ensuring more symmetric AFM images.

The silicon support chip is of standard dimensions (1.6 mm x 3.4 mm x 0.3 mm). Additionally, it has etched and lowered corners in order to avoid contact between the support chip and the sample when scanning. Moreover it features alignment grooves on the back side of the silicon support chip which ensure replacement of the AFM probes without major adjustment of the laser beam when used in conjunction with the alignment chip.

The type USC-F2-k3 is mainly designed for High-Speed AFM applications in non-contact mode in air but can also be used for other applications.

Tip shape: Cone Shaped

Coating: Reflective Gold

Gold Reflex Coating

The gold reflex coating consists of a 30 nm thick gold layer deposited on both sides of the AFM cantilevers which enhances the reflectance of the laser beam. Furthermore it prevents light from interfering within the AFM cantilever. As the coating is almost stress-free the bending of the AFM cantilevers due to stress is less than 2 degrees

The AFM tip remains uncoated.

Order Codes

Order Code Quantity Data Sheet
USC-F2-k3-10 10 Nominal values

System limitations: Due to their small AFM cantilever sizes and their very high resonance frequencies USC probes currently cannot be used in all commercially available SPMs and AFMs. Only AFMs with a sufficiently small laser spot and electronics that are capable of dealing with high resonance frequencies of up to 5 MHz are able to work with the USC probes. If in doubt whether these AFM probes can be used in your AFM please check back with us or with your AFM manufacturer.

Product Screencast NanoWorld® Ultra-Short Cantilevers (USC) for High Speed Scanning

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For more information contact: info@nanoworld.com

Pointprobe® is a registered trademark of NanoWorld AG

All data are subject to change without notice.

NanoWorld AG
Rue des Saars 10
CH-2000 Neuchâtel,
Switzerland
www.nanoworld.com

For detailed information about our AFM probe product series please see below: