Special feature of OLYMPUS Micro cantilever
- 3e -
1 Preparation
(OMCL-AC55TS-B3)
1) Please prepare the followings before using OLYMPUS cantilevers.
- 4e -
2) To gain a better understanding of how cantilevers and chips are connected, cantilevers
should be inspected under the microscope.
1) Work environment
1. AC mode cantilever – This type of micro cantilever is for AC (dynamic) mode AFM operation.
High mechanical Q factor of the cantilevers allows you high sensitivity measurement to
probe your sample surface gently. Cantilever base material employs highly doped silicon
with a surface resistance of 0.01-0.02 Ω・cm.
5. Tip View – The tip is located at the very end of the cantilever.
This feature allows you to set the tip over a point of interest on the sample, easily and
2) For hazard avoidance
3) For cantilever treatment
4) For inspection
2 Open the case
：Clean bench
(Use of an electrical charge neutralizer of ionizer is recommended.)
：Protective eye glasses
：Tweezers
(Use of anti-electrostatic discharge mat and a wrist band is
recommended.)
：Stereo microscope
2. MegaHertz range cantilever – Resonance frequency of this cantilever is over 1 MHz.
The high resonance frequency with 1.6 MHz (Nom.) enables fast scanning measurement.
It can be used at SPMs which bandwidth of the sensor circuit is 2.5 MHz or above.
3. Low thermal noise
Low thermal noise of cantilever vibration attributed to its high resonance frequency and
high spring constant enables high resolution measurement.
precisely, if you use an AFM combined with an optical microscope.
6. Point terminated tip – The tip radius is typically 7nm.
A sharpened tetrahedral tip of single crystal silicon is employed for high-resolution
measurements. The tetrahedral shape is ideal for achieving a point terminated tip. In
addition to the geometrical dimensions of the tip, the tip is further sharpened with our
exclusive sharpening process.
7. Reflex coating cantilever – Gold is coated onto the back side of the cantilevers for
optical deflection sensing.
Good S/N signal can be expected in the optical sensor circuit.
4. Pre-separated chip – Each cantilever chips is isolated in the case.
The chips can be attached to the AFM instrument as soon as the case is open.
8. Compatible chip – The thickness of the chip (substrate) is 0.3mm.
This type of the chip can be attached to most of AFM instruments.
Table of contents
1 Preparation 4e
2 Open the case
3 Picking up the cantilever chip
4 Tip shape of Tetrahedral tip
5 Information
6 Specification 1s
page
Please handle our cantilevers carefully because they are fragile.
Caution
It is recommended that precautions be taken to prevent damage to the
cantilever tips from electrostatic discharge.
Caution
1) It is recommended that the cantilever case be opened in a clean environment like a clean bench
in order to avoid the cantilever being contaminated. Handling under an ionizer is recommended.
2) Avoid wearing clothes like woolen sweaters, fleece etc that give off the static electricity when
handling the cantilever cases and chips. Use of an anti-electrostatic mat and wrist band is
preferable.
3) In opening the case, put the plastic case label-side down on a desk.
The cantilevers are tip-side-up as viewed in the case.
4) Open the case
3 Picking up the cantilever chip from the case
See the specification sheet of OLYMPUS Micro cantilevers at the last page of this manual.
4e
Avoid any contact with the cantilevers when you pull up the
cantilever tip from the case.
Caution
4e
5e
6e
1) Pick up the chip by the long side with the tweezers and mount it in the AFM.
