AFM Probes & Cantilevers: Selection Guide by Mode

Cantilevers (AFM Probes)

CSInstruments is proud to be an authorized reseller of high-quality AFM cantilevers and probes from industry-leading manufacturers Vmicro and AppNano. Our comprehensive selection ensures that you'll find the perfect cantilever for your specific AFM application and research needs.

To view our complete cantilever and probe listings or to place an order, please contact our sales team through the form below. Our experts will be happy to assist you in selecting the right product for your specific AFM requirements.

Probe selection guide

Which AFM probe for which mode?

An AFM probe is chosen from the mode first, then from the sample. Three properties decide: the spring constant (high for hard tapping, low for soft samples, contact mode and liquid), the resonance frequency (higher allows faster scanning in tapping mode) and the coating or tip material (magnetic for MFM, metal or conductive diamond for electrical modes). The table gives the starting point; nominal values come from the AppNano tables below.

Mode or sample	Probe families	Nominal k, f	Why
Tapping / non-contact (standard)	ACT, ACTA · ACL, ACLA · ACCESS-NC	ACT 37 N/m, 300 kHz · ACL 58 N/m, 190 kHz · ACCESS-NC 93 N/m, 320 kHz	High spring constant for hard tapping (high force). ACT's high frequency allows faster scanning; ACL's medium frequency helps phase imaging. Vmicro silicon probes for standard tapping are listed below.
Higher-resolution tapping	ACT-SS, ACL-SS, FORT-SS (Super-Sharp)	same cantilevers as the standard models	Super-Sharp silicon tips for non-contact, tapping, intermittent and close-contact imaging, for enhanced resolution.
Medium-force tapping	ACST, ACSTA	7.8 N/m, 150 kHz	Medium spring constant for medium tapping force at fast scanning speeds.
Soft samples, liquid, force modulation	FORT, FORTA · ACCESS-FM · FM60	FORT 1.6 N/m, 61 kHz · ACCESS-FM 2.7 N/m, 60 kHz	Low spring constant and low frequency for soft tapping (low force), soft samples and measurements in liquid; FM60 for force modulation in air or liquid. Vmicro probes for soft tapping and force modulation are listed below.
Contact mode	SICON · SHOCON · CM12, CM28	SICON 0.29 N/m, 15 kHz · SHOCON 0.14 N/m, 21 kHz	Soft cantilevers for contact-mode imaging; CM12 and CM28 are sharp silicon probes for contact mode in air or liquid.
Soft materials, several forces on one chip	HYDRA-ALL	four silicon nitride cantilevers	Four triangular silicon nitride cantilevers of different spring constants on one chip, designed for soft materials.
MFM (magnetic)	MAGT · MAGT-LM · MAGT-HM	3 N/m, 62 kHz	Cr/Co magnetic coating with medium coercivity; low-moment (LM), medium (MAGT) and high-moment (HM) versions to match the MFM requirement.
EFM and KPFM / KFM	ANSCM-PT · ACCESS-EFM · Vmicro Pt-coated	ANSCM-PT 3 N/m, 60 kHz	Pt/Ir coating on both sides of the cantilever; ANSCM is designed for EFM and KFM and can also be used in C-AFM. Pt-coated Vmicro probes are for EFM, KPFM and s-SNOM.
C-AFM, ResiScope™, PFM	DD-ACTA · DD-FORTA · CS-A-E2.8, CS-A-E40 · CS-A-FMC, CS-A-NCC	DD-ACTA 40 N/m, 300 kHz · DD-FORTA 3 N/m, 62 kHz	Boron-doped, highly conducting diamond on the tip side. DD-ACTA: ResiScope, conductive and PFM modes. DD-FORTA: ResiScope and Soft ResiScope, conductive, PFM, KFM and EFM. CS-A diamond probes are conductive and wear-resistant.
Rough samples and narrow trenches	HART (high aspect ratio) · Vmicro long-tip probes	HART 40 N/m, 300 kHz	High-aspect-ratio and long, tapered tips for narrow trenches and high-roughness samples.
Seeing the tip on the sample	ACCESS-C, ACCESS-NC, ACCESS-FM	—	The tip is visible from above, for applications that need to see it as it engages the surface.
sMIM	sMIM probes	50 nm tip radius	Shielded MEMS probes with a centre transmission line, specific to sMIM — see the sMIM page.

Many models are available with or without an aluminium backside coating, and in boxes of 10, 20 or 50. Not sure which probe fits your sample and AFM? Ask us — we help select the probe as well as supply it.

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACT	ACT-10	10	295	k (N/m)	37	13	77
ACT	ACT-20	20	549	f (kHz)	300	200	400
ACT	ACT-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	125	115	135
ACT	ACT-W	400	6120	Thickness (µm)	4	3.5	4.5

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACTA	ACTA-10	10	295	k (N/m)	37	13	77
ACTA	ACTA-20	20	549	f (kHz)	300	200	400
ACTA	ACTA-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	125	115	135
ACTA	ACTA-W	400	6120	Thickness (µm)	4	3.5	4.5

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACT-SS	ACT-SS-10	10	705	k (N/m)	37	13	77
ACT-SS	ACT-SS-20	20	1358.5	f (kHz)	300	200	400
ACT-SS	ACT-SS-50	50	2920.5	Length (µm)	125	115	135

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACTA-SS	ACTA-SS-10	10	740	k (N/m)	37	13	77
ACTA-SS	ACTA-SS-20	20	1290	f (kHz)	300	200	400
ACTA-SS	ACTA-SS-50	50	2850	Length (µm)	125	115	135

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACTG	ACTG-10	10	305	k (N/m)	37	13	77
ACTG	ACTG-20	20	570	f (kHz)	300	200	400
ACTG	ACTG-50	50	1395	Length (µm)	125	115	135

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACTGG	ACTGG-10	10	325	k (N/m)	37	13	77
ACTGG	ACTGG-20	20	610	f (kHz)	300	200	400
ACTGG	ACTGG-50	50	1495	Length (µm)	125	115	135

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACL	ACL-10	10	295	k (N/m)	58	36	90
ACL	ACL-20	20	549	f (kHz)	190	160	225
ACL	ACL-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	225	215	235
ACL	ACL-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	40	35	45

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACLA	ACLA-10	10	295	k (N/m)	58	36	90
ACLA	ACLA-20	20	549	f (kHz)	190	160	225
ACLA	ACLA-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	225	215	235
ACLA	ACLA-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	40	35	45

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACL-SS	ACL-SS-10	10	705	k (N/m)	58	36	90
ACL-SS	ACL-SS-20	20	1358.5	f (kHz)	190	160	225
ACL-SS	ACL-SS-50	50	2920.5	Length (µm)	225	215	235
ACL-SS	ACL-SS-W			Width (µm)	40	35	45

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACLA-SS	ACLA-SS-10	10	740	k (N/m)	58	36	90
ACLA-SS	ACLA-SS-20	20	1290	f (kHz)	190	160	225
ACLA-SS	ACLA-SS-50	50	2850	Length (µm)	225	215	235

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACLG	ACLG-10	10	305	k (N/m)	58	36	90
ACLG	ACLG-20	20	570	f (kHz)	190	160	225
ACLG	ACLG-50	50	1395	Length (µm)	225	215	235

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACLGG	ACLGG-10	10	325	k (N/m)	58	36	90
ACLGG	ACLGG-20	20	610	f (kHz)	190	160	225
ACLGG	ACLGG-50	50	1495	Length (µm)	225	215	235

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-NC	ACCESS-NC-10	10	360	k (N/m)	93	34	243
ACCESS-NC	ACCESS-NC-20	20	640	f (kHz)	320	201	508
ACCESS-NC	ACCESS-NC-50	50	1440	Length (µm)	150	130	170

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-NC-GG	ACCESS-NC-GG-10	10	540	k (N/m)	93	34	243
ACCESS-NC-GG	ACCESS-NC-GG-20	20	980	f (kHz)	320	201	508
ACCESS-NC-GG	ACCESS-NC-GG-50	50	2160	Length (µm)	150	130	170

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-NC-A	ACCESS-NC-A-10	10	410	k (N/m)	93	34	243
ACCESS-NC-A	ACCESS-NC-A-20	20	750	f (kHz)	320	201	508
ACCESS-NC-A	ACCESS-NC-A-50	50	1540	Length (µm)	150	130	170

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-NC-G	ACCESS-NC-G-10	10	450	k (N/m)	93	34	243
ACCESS-NC-G	ACCESS-NC-G-20	20	805	f (kHz)	320	201	508
ACCESS-NC-G	ACCESS-NC-G-50	50	1800	Length (µm)	150	130	170

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACST	ACST-10	10	295	k (N/m)	7.8	3	17.9
ACST	ACST-20	20	549	f (kHz)	150	100	204
ACST	ACST-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	150	140	160
ACST	ACST-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	28	23	33

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACSTA	ACSTA-10	10	295	k (N/m)	7.8	3	17.9
ACSTA	ACSTA-20	20	549	f (kHz)	150	100	204
ACSTA	ACSTA-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	150	140	160
ACSTA	ACSTA-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	28	23	33

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACST-SS	ACST-SS-10	10	705	k (N/m)	7.8	3	17.9
ACST-SS	ACST-SS-20	20	1358.5	f (kHz)	150	100	204
ACST-SS	ACST-SS-50	50	2920.5	Length (µm)	150	140	160

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACSTA-SS	ACSTA-SS-10	10	740	k (N/m)	7.8	3	17.9
ACSTA-SS	ACSTA-SS-20	20	1290	f (kHz)	150	100	204
ACSTA-SS	ACSTA-SS-50	50	2850	Length (µm)	150	140	160

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACSTG	ACSTG-10	10	305	k (N/m)	7.8	3	17.9
ACSTG	ACSTG-20	20	570	f (kHz)	150	100	204
ACSTG	ACSTG-50	50	1395	Length (µm)	150	140	160

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACSTGG	ACSTGG-10	10	325	k (N/m)	7.8	3	17.9
ACSTGG	ACSTGG-20	20	610	f (kHz)	150	100	204
ACSTGG	ACSTGG-50	50	1495	Length (µm)	150	140	160

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-SNC	ACCESS-SNC-10	10	360	k (N/m)	93	34	243
ACCESS-SNC	ACCESS-SNC-20	20	640	f (kHz)	320	201	508
ACCESS-SNC	ACCESS-SNC-50	50	1440	Length (µm)	150	130	170

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-SNC-GG	ACCESS-SNC-GG-10	10	540	k (N/m)	93	34	243
ACCESS-SNC-GG	ACCESS-SNC-GG-20	20	980	f (kHz)	320	201	508
ACCESS-SNC-GG	ACCESS-SNC-GG-50	50	2160	Length (µm)	150	130	170

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-SNC-A	ACCESS-SNC-A-10	10	410	k (N/m)	93	34	243
ACCESS-SNC-A	ACCESS-SNC-A-20	20	750	f (kHz)	320	201	508
ACCESS-SNC-A	ACCESS-SNC-A-50	50	1540	Length (µm)	150	130	170

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-SNC-G	ACCESS-SNC-G10	10	450	k (N/m)	93	34	243
ACCESS-SNC-G	ACCESS-SNC-G-20	20	805	f (kHz)	320	201	508
ACCESS-SNC-G	ACCESS-SNC-G-50	50	1800	Length (µm)	150	130	170

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
FORT	FORT-10	10	295	k (N/m)	1.6	0.6	3.7
FORT	FORT-20	20	549	f (kHz)	61	43	81
FORT	FORT-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	225	215	235
FORT	FORT-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	27	22	32

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
FORTA	FORTA-10	10	295	k (N/m)	1.6	0.6	3.7
FORTA	FORTA-20	20	549	f (kHz)	61	43	81
FORTA	FORTA-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	225	215	235
FORTA	FORTA-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	27	22	32

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
FORT-SS	FORT-SS-10	10	705	k (N/m)	1.6	0.6	3.7
FORT-SS	FORT-SS-20	20	1358.5	f (kHz)	61	43	81
FORT-SS	FORT-SS-50	50	2920.5	Length (µm)	225	215	235

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
FORTA-SS	FORTA-SS-10	10	740	k (N/m)	1.6	0.6	3.7
FORTA-SS	FORTA-SS-20	20	1290	f (kHz)	61	43	81
FORTA-SS	FORTA-SS-50	50	2850	Length (µm)	225	215	235

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
FORTG	FORTG-10	10	305	k (N/m)	1.6	0.6	3.7
FORTG	FORTG-20	20	570	f (kHz)	61	43	81
FORTG	FORTG-50	50	1395	Length (µm)	225	215	235

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
FORTGG	FORTGG-10	10	325	k (N/m)	1.6	0.6	3.7
FORTGG	FORTGG-20	20	610	f (kHz)	61	43	81
FORTGG	FORTGG-50	50	1495	Length (µm)	225	215	235

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-FM	ACCESS-FM-10	10	360	k (N/m)	2.7	0.8	8.9
ACCESS-FM	ACCESS-FM-20	20	640	f (kHz)	60	36	98
ACCESS-FM	ACCESS-FM-50	50	1440	Length (µm)	245	225	265

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-FM-GG	ACCESS-FM-GG-10	10	540	k (N/m)	2.7	0.8	8.9
ACCESS-FM-GG	ACCESS-FM-GG-20	20	980	f (kHz)	60	36	98
ACCESS-FM-GG	ACCESS-FM-GG-50	50	2160	Length (µm)	245	225	265

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-FM-A	ACCESS-FM-A-10	10	410	k (N/m)	2.7	0.8	8.9
ACCESS-FM-A	ACCESS-FM-A-20	20	750	f (kHz)	60	36	98
ACCESS-FM-A	ACCESS-FM-A-50	50	1540	Length (µm)	245	225	265

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-FM-G	ACCESS-FM-G-10	10	450	k (N/m)	2.7	0.8	8.9
ACCESS-FM-G	ACCESS-FM-G-20	20	805	f (kHz)	60	36	98
ACCESS-FM-G	ACCESS-FM-G-50	50	1800	Length (µm)	245	225	265

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SICON	SICON-10	10	295	k (N/m)	0.29	0.13	0.6
SICON	SICON-20	20	549	f (kHz)	15	11	19
SICON	SICON-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	450	440	460
SICON	SICON-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	49	44	54

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SICONA	SICONA-10	10	295	k (N/m)	0.29	0.13	0.6
SICONA	SICONA-20	20	549	f (kHz)	15	11	19
SICONA	SICONA-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	450	440	460
SICONA	SICONA-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	49	44	54

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SICON-SS	SICON-SS-10	10	705	k (N/m)	0.29	0.13	0.6
SICON-SS	SICON-SS-20	20	1358.5	f (kHz)	15	11	19
SICON-SS	SICON-SS-50	50	2920.5	Length (µm)	450	440	460

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SICONA-SS	SICONA-SS-10	10	740	k (N/m)	0.29	0.13	0.6
SICONA-SS	SICONA-SS-20	20	1290	f (kHz)	15	11	19
SICONA-SS	SICONA-SS-50	50	2850	Length (µm)	450	440	460

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SICONG	SICONG-10	10	305	k (N/m)	0.29	0.13	0.6
SICONG	SICONG-20	20	570	f (kHz)	15	11	19
SICONG	SICONG-50	50	1395	Length (µm)	450	440	460

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SICONGG	SICONGG-10	10	325	k (N/m)	0.29	0.13	0.6
SICONGG	SICONGG-20	20	610	f (kHz)	15	11	19
SICONGG	SICONGG-50	50	1495	Length (µm)	450	440	460

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-C	ACCESS-C-10	10	360	k (N/m)	93	34	243
ACCESS-C	ACCESS-C-20	20	640	f (kHz)	320	201	508
ACCESS-C	ACCESS-C-50	50	1440	Length (µm)	150	130	170

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-C-GG	ACCESS-C-GG-10	10	540	k (N/m)	93	34	243
ACCESS-C-GG	ACCESS-C-GG-20	20	980	f (kHz)	320	201	508
ACCESS-C-GG	ACCESS-C-GG-50	50	2160	Length (µm)	150	130	170

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-C-A	ACCESS-C-A-10	10	410	k (N/m)	93	34	243
ACCESS-C-A	ACCESS-C-A-20	20	750	f (kHz)	320	201	508
ACCESS-C-A	ACCESS-C-A-50	50	1540	Length (µm)	150	130	170

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACCESS-C-G	ACCESS-C-G10	10	450	k (N/m)	93	34	243
ACCESS-C-G	ACCESS-C-G-20	20	805	f (kHz)	320	201	508
ACCESS-C-G	ACCESS-C-G-50	50	1800	Length (µm)	150	130	170

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SHOCON	SHOCON-10	10	295	k (N/m)	0.14	0.01	0.6
SHOCON	SHOCON-20	20	549	f (kHz)	21	8	37
SHOCON	SHOCON-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	225	215	235
SHOCON	SHOCON-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	46	41	51

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SHOCONA	SHOCONA-10	10	295	k (N/m)	0.14	0.01	0.6
SHOCONA	SHOCONA-20	20	549	f (kHz)	21	8	37
SHOCONA	SHOCONA-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	225	215	235
SHOCONA	SHOCONA-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	46	41	51

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SHOCON-SS	SHOCON-SS-10	10	705	k (N/m)	0.14	0.01	0.6
SHOCON-SS	SHOCON-SS-20	20	1358.5	f (kHz)	21	8	37
SHOCON-SS	SHOCON-SS-50	50	2920.5	Length (µm)	225	215	235

AFM Probe - Cantilever Vmicro — **Prices:**
Box of 10 cantilevers = 280€
Box of 20 cantilevers = 500€
Box of 50 cantilevers = 1150€

Unique advantages:

Tapered Streamlined Long Tip
Vertical sidewall chip for safe handling
Tip view

Applications

Standard tapping mode
Compatible for narrow trenches or high roughness samples imaging

Unique advantages:

Tapered Streamlined Long Tip
Vertical sidewall chip for safe handling
Tip view

Applications

Standard tapping mode
Compatible for narrow trenches or high roughness samples imaging
Olympus AC160 characteristics

Get a Quotation

Unique advantages:

Tapered Streamlined Long Tip
Vertical sidewall chip for safe handling
Tip view

Applications

Soft tapping mode / Force modulation mode
Compatible for narrow trenches or high roughness samples imaging

Get a Quotation

Unique advantages:

Tapered Streamlined Long Tip
Vertical sidewall chip for safe handling
Tip view

Applications

Electrical modes EFM, KPFM
s-SNOM (scattering-type Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy)

Get a Quotation

Unique advantages:

Tapered Streamlined Long Tip
Vertical sidewall chip for safe handling
Tip view

Applications

Electrical modes EFM, KPFM
s-SNOM (scattering-type Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy)

Get a Quotation

Unique advantages:

Tapered Streamlined Long Tip
Vertical sidewall chip for safe handling
Tip view

Applications

Electrical modes EFM, KPFM
s-SNOM (scattering-type Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy)

Get a Quotation

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Which AFM probe should I use for tapping mode?

For standard tapping in air, stiff silicon probes such as ACT (37 N/m, 300 kHz) or ACL (58 N/m, 190 kHz): ACT's high frequency allows faster scanning, ACL helps phase imaging. Super-Sharp (-SS) versions give enhanced resolution. For soft samples, use a lower spring constant such as FORT (1.6 N/m).

Which probe is used for conductive AFM, ResiScope or PFM?

A conductive tip. Boron-doped diamond probes (DD-ACTA, DD-FORTA) are highly conducting and wear-resistant: DD-ACTA for ResiScope, conductive and PFM modes, DD-FORTA also for Soft ResiScope, KFM and EFM. Pt/Ir-coated ANSCM probes can also be used in C-AFM.

Which probe for KPFM / KFM and EFM?

A metal-coated tip: ANSCM-PT (Pt/Ir, 3 N/m, 60 kHz) is designed for EFM and KFM; ACCESS-EFM and Pt-coated Vmicro probes are also used for EFM and KPFM. For HD-KFM, ask us for the probe matched to the mode.

Which probe for magnetic force microscopy (MFM)?

MAGT probes have a Cr/Co magnetic coating (3 N/m, 62 kHz). Choose the moment to match the sample: MAGT-LM (low moment), MAGT (medium) or MAGT-HM (high moment).

Which probe for soft samples or imaging in liquid?

Low spring constant probes: FORT/FORTA (1.6 N/m, 61 kHz) for soft tapping and liquid, ACCESS-FM (2.7 N/m), SICON or SHOCON for contact mode, or HYDRA-ALL with four silicon nitride cantilevers of different stiffness on one chip.

Are these probes compatible with AFMs from other manufacturers?

The AppNano and Vmicro probes listed here are standard-size probes; the CM, FM and TM series are described as compatible with most commercial AFMs. Tell us your AFM model and we will confirm.

How do I order AFM probes from CSInstruments?

CSInstruments is an authorized reseller of AppNano and Vmicro probes. Use the quotation form on this page with the model and the box size (10, 20 or 50 for most models); list prices are shown in the tables.

Cantilevers (AFM Tips)

Cantilevers (AFM Probes)

Which AFM probe for which mode?

AppNano Cantilever AFM Tips List

Frequently Asked Questions

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SHOCONA-SS	SHOCONA-SS-10	10	740	k (N/m)	0.14	0.01	0.6
SHOCONA-SS	SHOCONA-SS-20	20	1290	f (kHz)	21	8	37
SHOCONA-SS	SHOCONA-SS-50	50	2850	Length (µm)	225	215	235

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SHOCONG	SHOCONG-10	10	305	k (N/m)	0.14	0.01	0.6
SHOCONG	SHOCONG-20	20	570	f (kHz)	21	8	37
SHOCONG	SHOCONG-50	50	1395	Length (µm)	225	215	235

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SHOCONGG	SHOCONGG-10	10	325	k (N/m)	0.14	0.01	0.6
SHOCONGG	SHOCONGG-20	20	610	f (kHz)	21	8	37
SHOCONGG	SHOCONGG-50	50	1495	Length (µm)	225	215	235

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACT-TL	ACT-TL-10	10	295	k (N/m)	37	13	77
ACT-TL	ACT-TL-20	20	549	f (kHz)	300	200	400
ACT-TL	ACT-TL-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	125	115	135
ACT-TL	ACT-TL-W	400	6120	Thickness (µm)	4	3.5	4.5

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACTA-TL	ACTA-TL-10	10	295	k (N/m)	37	13	77
ACTA-TL	ACTA-TL-20	20	549	f (kHz)	300	200	400
ACTA-TL	ACTA-TL-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	125	115	135
ACTA-TL	ACTA-TL-W	400	6120	Thickness (µm)	4	3.5	4.5

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACTG-TL	ACTG-TL-10	10	305	k (N/m)	37	13	77
ACTG-TL	ACTG-TL-20	20	570	f (kHz)	300	200	400
ACTG-TL	ACTG-TL-50	50	1395	Length (µm)	125	115	135

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACTGG-TL	ACTGG-TL-10	10	325	k (N/m)	37	13	77
ACTGG-TL	ACTGG-TL-20	20	610	f (kHz)	300	200	400
ACTGG-TL	ACTGG-TL-50	50	1495	Length (µm)	125	115	135

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACL-TL	ACL-TL-10	10	295	k (N/m)	58	36	90
ACL-TL	ACL-TL-20	20	549	f (kHz)	190	160	225
ACL-TL	ACL-TL-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	225	215	235
ACL-TL	ACL-TL-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	40	35	45

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACLA-TL	ACLA-TL-10	10	295	k (N/m)	58	36	90
ACLA-TL	ACLA-TL-20	20	549	f (kHz)	190	160	225
ACLA-TL	ACLA-TL-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	225	215	235
ACLA-TL	ACLA-TL-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	40	35	45

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACLG-TL	ACLG-TL-10	10	305	k (N/m)	58	36	90
ACLG-TL	ACLG-TL-20	20	570	f (kHz)	190	160	225
ACLG-TL	ACLG-TL-50	50	1395	Length (µm)	225	215	235

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACLGG-TL	ACLGG-TL-10	10	325	k (N/m)	58	36	90
ACLGG-TL	ACLGG-TL-20	20	610	f (kHz)	190	160	225
ACLGG-TL	ACLGG-TL-50	50	1495	Length (µm)	225	215	235

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACST-TL	ASCT-TL-10	10	295	k (N/m)	7.8	3	17.9
ACST-TL	ASCT-TL-20	20	549	f (kHz)	150	100	204
ACST-TL	ASCT-TL-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	150	140	160
ACST-TL	ASCT-TL-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	28	23	33

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACSTA-TL	ASTA-TL-10	10	295	k (N/m)	7.8	3	17.9
ACSTA-TL	ASTA-TL-20	20	549	f (kHz)	150	100	204
ACSTA-TL	ASTA-TL-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	150	140	160
ACSTA-TL	ASTA-TL-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	28	23	33

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACSTG-TL	ACSTG-TL-10	10	305	k (N/m)	7.8	3	17.9
ACSTG-TL	ACSTG-TL-20	20	570	f (kHz)	150	100	204
ACSTG-TL	ACSTG-TL-50	50	1395	Length (µm)	150	140	160

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ACSTGG-TL	ACSTGG-TL-10	10	325	k (N/m)	7.8	3	17.9
ACSTGG-TL	ACSTGG-TL-20	20	610	f (kHz)	150	100	204
ACSTGG-TL	ACSTGG-TL-50	50	1495	Length (µm)	150	140	160

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
FORT-TL	FORT-TL-10	10	295	k (N/m)	1.6	0.6	3.7
FORT-TL	FORT-TL-20	20	549	f (kHz)	61	43	81
FORT-TL	FORT-TL-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	225	215	235
FORT-TL	FORT-TL-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	27	22	32

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
FORTA-TL	FORTA-TL-10	10	295	k (N/m)	1.6	0.6	3.7
FORTA-TL	FORTA-TL-20	20	549	f (kHz)	61	43	81
FORTA-TL	FORTA-TL-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	225	215	235
FORTA-TL	FORTA-TL-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	27	22	32

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
FORTG-TL	FORTG-TL-10	10	305	k (N/m)	1.6	0.6	3.7
FORTG-TL	FORTG-TL-20	20	570	f (kHz)	61	43	81
FORTG-TL	FORTG-TL-50	50	1395	Length (µm)	225	215	235

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
FORTGG-TL	FORTGG-TL-10	10	325	k (N/m)	1.6	0.6	3.7
FORTGG-TL	FORTGG-TL-20	20	610	f (kHz)	61	43	81
FORTGG-TL	FORTGG-TL-50	50	1495	Length (µm)	225	215	235

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SHOCON-TL	SHOCON-TL-10	10	295	k (N/m)	0.14	0.01	0.6
SHOCON-TL	SHOCON-TL-20	20	549	f (kHz)	21	8	37
SHOCON-TL	SHOCON-TL-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	225	215	235
SHOCON-TL	SHOCON-TL-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	46	41	51

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SHOCONA-TL	SHOCONA-TL-10	10	295	k (N/m)	0.14	0.01	0.6
SHOCONA-TL	SHOCONA-TL-20	20	549	f (kHz)	21	8	37
SHOCONA-TL	SHOCONA-TL-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	225	215	235
SHOCONA-TL	SHOCONA-TL-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	46	41	51

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SHOCONG-TL	SHOCONG-TL-10	10	305	k (N/m)	0.14	0.13	0.6
SHOCONG-TL	SHOCONG-TL-20	20	570	f (kHz)	21	11	19
SHOCONG-TL	SHOCONG-TL-50	50	1395	Length (µm)	225	440	460

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SICON-TL	SICON-TL-10	10	295	k (N/m)	0.29	0.13	0.6
SICON-TL	SICON-TL-20	20	549	f (kHz)	15	11	19
SICON-TL	SICON-TL-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	450	440	460
SICON-TL	SICON-TL-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	49	44	54

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SICONA-TL	SICONA-TL-10	10	295	k (N/m)	0.29	0.13	0.6
SICONA-TL	SICONA-TL-20	20	549	f (kHz)	15	11	19
SICONA-TL	SICONA-TL-50	50	1160	Length (µm)	450	440	460
SICONA-TL	SICONA-TL-W	400	6120	Width (µm)	49	44	54

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
SICONG-TL	SICONG-TL-10	10	305	k (N/m)	0.29	0.13	0.6
SICONG-TL	SICONG-TL-20	20	570	f (kHz)	15	11	19
SICONG-TL	SICONG-TL-50	50	1395	Length (µm)	450	440	460

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
MAGT	MAGT-10	10	605	k (N/m)	3	1.2	6.4
MAGT	MAGT-20	20	1105	f (kHz)	62	47	76
MAGT	MAGT-50	50	2385	Length (µm)	225	215	235
MAGT	MAGT-W	400	12525	Width (µm)	30	25	35

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
MAGT-HM	MAGT-HM-10	10	910	k (N/m)	3	1.2	6.4
MAGT-HM	MAGT-HM-20	20	1750	f (kHz)	62	47	76
MAGT-HM	MAGT-HM-50	50	3950	Length (µm)	225	215	235
MAGT-HM	MAGT-HM-W	410	19000	Width (µm)	30	25	35

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
MAGT-LM	MAGT-LM-10	10	610	k (N/m)	3	1.2	6.4
MAGT-LM	MAGT-LM-20	20	1160	f (kHz)	62	47	76
MAGT-LM	MAGT-LM-50	50	2750	Length (µm)	225	215	235
MAGT-LM	MAGT-LM-W	400	12900	Width (µm)	30	25	35

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ANSCM-PC	ANSCM-PC-10	10	420	k (N/m)	0.2	0.1	0.6
ANSCM-PC	ANSCM-PC-20	20	715	f (kHz)	12	11	18
ANSCM-PC	ANSCM-PC-50	50	1605	Length (µm)	450	440	460

Probe Model	Probe Part #	Probes per Box	Listed Price (€)	Parameter	Nominal	Min	Max
ANSCM-PT	ANSCM-PT-10	10	420	k (N/m)	3	1	5
ANSCM-PT	ANSCM-PT-20	20	715	f (kHz)	60	50	70
ANSCM-PT	ANSCM-PT-50	50	1605	Length (µm)	225	215	240