Anfatec Instruments AG
Measurement Science and Technology &
Scanning Probe Microscopy

Self Sensing Cantilevers from SCL-Sensor.Tech

Piezo-Resistive Sensing (PRS) probes from SCL-Sensor.Tech are silicon cantilevers with an integrated piezo-resistor. They are used for self-sensing scanning probe microscopy applications. PRSA probes are additionally equipped with a thermal actuator for self-actuating operation. The piezo-resistors are integrated into a matched Wheatstone bridge to optimize the sensitivity and to compensate environmental thermal drift. By using the self-sensing readout no laser adjustment is necessary in comparison to conventional optical readout AFM systems. This gains time during a cantilever change. Furthermore free space above the cantilever opens a door for new applications and various instrument combinations. The cantilever provides a sharp tip for accurate measurements in various applications. The cantilever chip is bonded onto a small printed circuit board (PCB) with a small connector. The loading process of a fragile cantilever equipped with a connector is more easy and save. The counterpart PCB of the cantilever PCB is connected to a low-noise amplifier by a flat-flex-cable.


Self sensing cantilevers are bonded to a small printed circuit board (6 x 4.5 mm) with a small connector. Total height: 2.4 mm (cantilever chip, PCB and connector)


Tip shape of a self sensing cantilever


PRSA-probes (with heater)

Piezo-Resistive Sensing Active (PRSA) cantilever probes from SCL-Sensor.Tech can be applied for contact and tapping mode. It provides an integrated heater for self actuation/oscillation of the cantilever.

PRSA-probe-cantilver

PRS-probes (no heater)

Piezo-Resistive Sensing (PRS) cantilever probes from SCL-Sensor.Tech for tapping mode and various cantilever based applications. With their short length they exhibit a high sensitivity and a low noise level.


PRS-probe-cantilver


Tip Specification
Type PRSA-L300-F50-Si-PCB PRSA-L300-F80-Si-PCB PRS-L70-F900-Si-CHP PRS-L100-F400-TL-PCB PRS-L450-F30-TL-PCB
Radius (tip apex) < 15 nm no tip
Height 4-6 µm 4-7 µm
Material silicon
Cantilever Specification
Resonant frequency 30-65 kHz 65-95 kHz 500-1300 kHz 250-550 kHz 14-48 kHz
Spring constant 1-15 N/m 15-56 N/m 35-400 N/m 14-170 N/m 0.5-24 N/m
AFM mode contact mode tapping mode - -
Length 305 ± 5 µm 70-85 µm 100 ± 5 µm 450 ± 5 µm
Width 110 ± 5 µm 30 ± 1 µm 100 ± 5 µm 100 ± 3 µm
Material silicon
Deflection sensing piezo-resistive bridge
Actuator external shaker or integrated active heater external shaker
Electrical connections bonded to small PCB with connector

Tip Cantilevers

Tip Cantilevers
Type PRS-L70-F900-Si-PCB
PRSA-L300-F50-Si-PCB
PRSA-L300-F80-Si-PCB
Info Piezoresistive self-sensing silicon cantilever with silicon tip and heater on our standard PCB (6x5 mm) with a 10 pin connector.
Price Number of pieces Price per piece [Eur] Price per package [Eur]
1 116,50
10 89,50 895,00
20 85,95 1719,00
Type PRS-L70-F900-Si-CHP
PRSA-L300-F60-Si-CHP
Info Piezoresistive self-sensing silicon cantilever with silicon tip, delivered as silicon chip.
Price Number of pieces Price per piece [Eur] Price per package [Eur]
1 110,00
10 84,50 845,00
20 80,28 1.605,50

Tipless Cantilevers

Tipless Cantilevers
Type PRS-L100-F400-TL-PCB
PRSA-L300-F50-TL-PCB
PRSA-L300-F80-TL-PCB
PRS-L450-F30-TL-PCB
Info Piezoresistive self-sensing silicon cantilever on our standard PCB (6x5 mm) with a 10 pin connector.
Price Number of pieces Price per piece [Eur] Price per package [Eur]
1 94,50
10 72,50 725,00
20 68,95 1378,90
50 65,95 3297,25
Type PRS-L100-F400-TL-CHP
PRSA-L300-F60-TL-CHP
PRS-L450-F30-TL-CHP
Info Piezoresistive self-sensing silicon cantilever, delivered as silicon chip.
Price Number of pieces Price per piece [Eur] Price per package [Eur]
1 90,50
10 69,50 695,00
20 65,95 1318,90
50 63,25 3162,25

Order information

# Short Description Number
of pieces		 Price per
piece [Eur]		 Price per
package [Eur]
1 starter kit plus
Self sensing cantilever pre-amplifier board with case 1 2375,00
2 Self-sensing cantilever starter kit Self-sensing cantilever pre-amplifier board without case 1 1750,00
3 Preamplifier Pre-amplifier PCB with 2.5 MHz bandwidth, low noise, 100x gain, fixed 2V or flexible bridge supply voltage, onboard as well as
external offset voltage adjustment and screw mounting
holes in a plastic enclosure 		1 975,00
4 FFC-CP-PCB Counter-part PCB (with 10 pin female connector) bonded to a flex cable to connect SCL pre-amplifier.
l = 15cm, copper shielding 		1 82,50
3 79,90 239,69
10 75,90 759,00
5 Flex-CP-PCB Flexible counter-part PCB (with 10 pin female connector) ready for connection to a SCL pre-amplifier via its FPC connector.
l = 12 cm, w = 6 mm, t = 0.17 mm(!), integrated shielding (2nd copper layer, GND), high durability 		1 89,00
3 83,66 250,98
10 75,65 756,50
6 CP-PCB Flexible counter-part PCB (with 10 pin female connector) ready for connection to a SCL pre-amplifier via its FPC connector.
l = 8,5 cm, w = 6 mm, t = 0.17 mm(!), integrated shielding (2nd copper layer, GND), high durability 		1 35,00
3 33,60 100,80
10 29,75 297,50
20 28,00 560,00
7 Output cable Output-cable for pre-amplifier (one end wire-to-board connector and other side open ends) 1 110,00
All prices are customer prices excl. VAT

Anfatec Instruments AG welcomes the opportunity to serve your inquiries, orders, and any questions. You can reach us via e-mail (mailbox@anfatec.de) or phone (+49-37421-24212). You can place orders by e-mail or fax (+49-37421-24212).

Delivery time:
  • 1 week in case it is available from German stock.
  • For special orders please ask for delivery time.

Delivery costs:
  • Inside Germany: 3.90 Eur;
  • Other countries: depending on location and amount between 8 Eur; and 25 Eur;
We reserve the right to change prices and do not take over guarantee for misprints.