NanoWorld® Pointprobe® NCL probes are designed for non-contact or tapping^™ mode imaging and offer an alternative to our high frequency non-contact type NCH. The NCL type is recommended if the feedback loop of the microscope does not accept high frequencies or if the detection system needs a minimum AFM cantilever length (> 125 µm). This AFM probe combines high operation stability with outstanding sensitivity. Compared to the high frequency non-contact type NCH the maximum scanning speed is slightly reduced.

All SPM and AFM 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.

For measurements on samples with sidewall angles approaching 90° we offer specially tailored AFM tips showing a high aspect ratio portion with near-vertical sidewalls.

These AFM probes offer unique features:

• length of the high aspect ratio portion of the AFM tip > 2 µm
• typical aspect ratio of this portion in the order of 7:1
  (when viewed from side as well as along AFM cantilever axis)
• half cone angle of the high aspect ratio portion typically < 5°
• excellent AFM tip radius of curvature

For applications allowing higher resonance frequencies or a shorter AFM cantilever length we recommend our Pointprobe® type AR5-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.