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PointProbe® Plus Contact Mode - PtIr5 Coating

The PointProbe® Plus (PPP) combines high application versatility and compatibility with most commercial SPMs. The typical AFM tip radius of less than 7 nm and the minimized variation in AFM tip shape provide reproducible images and enhanced resolution.

NANOSENSORS™ PPP-CONTPt AFM probes are designed for contact mode (repulsive mode) AFM imaging. This AFM probe can also be used for force-distance spectroscopy mode or pulsed force mode (PFM). The PPP-CONTPt type is optimized for high sensitivity due to a low force constant.

The AFM probe offers unique features:

• radius of curvature better than 25 nm
• AFM tip height 10 - 15 µm
• metallic conductivity of the AFM tip
• high mechanical Q-factor for high sensitivity

The PtIr5 coating is an approximately 25 nm thick double layer of chromium and platinum iridium5 on both sides of the AFM cantilever. The tip side coating enhances the conductivity of the AFM tip and allows electrical contacts. The detector side coating enhances the reflectivity of the laser beam by a factor of about 2 and prevents light from interfering within the AFM cantilever. The coating process is optimized for stress compensation and wear resistance. As the coating is nearly stress-free the bending of the AFM cantilever due to stress is less than 2 degrees.