High Reliability and Outstanding Performance for Tip enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
SUPERSHARP TERS PROBES
TERS Tips MORPHOLOGY
Next-tip has patented a new morphology of the metal coating on an AFM probe. This morphology is based on the deposition of metal nanoparticles by Ion Cluster Source.
The control of the deposit of these nanoparticles creates on the tip a new morphology different from those found in the literature. This morphology is characterized by the following features:
Apex features
Widening at the apex
Local Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) effect is the main source of enhancement for TERS and it strongly depends on the morphology of the metal nanostructures. The morphology of metal nanoparticles including the size, shape, and roughness significantly influences the surface enhancement effect in TERS. The apex of our AFM tips is an irregular nanostructure formed by an aggregate of gold nanoparticles with a shape similar to an ‘artichoke’
Sharpness in the tip
The nanostructure formed in the apex finished by one or two nanoparticles provides sharpness. The final nanoparticles on the apex of the AFM tip give a good lateral resolution and increase the lightning rod effect in which the sharp tip apex causes the electric field to be concentrated at this point.
Coating side features
The dense coating of nanoparticles forms branches on the tip surface, increasing the roughness. This group of nanoparticles or heterogeneity of the coating tip acts as an effective plasmonic antenna to receive and transmit light at the nanoscale.
Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy PERFORMANCE
Outstanding performance of Next-Tip TERS probes are related to their morphological features.
The design of these probes have been developed to match the best AFM performance and the most powerfull RAMAN signal.
High resolution
The great control of the coating process allows high resolution on robust probes with a high degree of reproducibility. In addition, this coating process allows the placement of one or two nanoparticles in the apex of the tip, achieving the high lateral resolution. Measurements show AFM resolution less than 5nm and TERS resolution less than 10nm.
Enhancement factor and contrast
The enhancement factor (EF) value is quoted to quantify the enhancement of the Raman signal by the enhancemend electric field at the tip apex and it is based in contrast value. The contrast value is calculated using the experimental data collected from the near-field scan and the far-field scan at the same spatial location. TERS probe of gold guarante to achive a contrast higher than 20 and silver TERS probe higher than 40. These values lead to an enhancement factor up to 105-106 with Next-tip TERS probes.
Lifetime
The life of silver TERS tips is protected with a second layer of gold nanoparticles on the silver metal, preserving the properties of both metals to enhance the effect of plasmon. This dense gold nanoparticle coating guarantees a thicker layer of metal that significantly improves the durability of this type of probes. In addition, the irregularities formed by the nanoparticles along the tip extend its useful life after being deformed by the Raman laser.
Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy PRODUCTS
GOLD Core TERS Probes
- 5 box: 1.491€
1.695€
- 10 box: 2.635€
2.995€
NT-TERS-Au-85 GOLD. Force Modulation with Real Tip Visibility
Cantilever main technical data
- Resonance Frequency: 85 KHz
- Force Constant: 2.8 N/m
- Lenght: 240 µm
TERS Tips Performance
- Enhancement factor ~ 106
- Lateral resolution in TERS: <5nm
- Contrast ~ 20
- Enhancement proved at 633nm laser excitation
- Based on commercial AFM cantilevers
- Notable lifetime due to the irregularity
Other technical data
AFM Tip
Shape
Visible
Tip Radius
<5nm
Coating
Gold Nanoparticles
AFM Cantilever
Resonance Frecuency
85 KHz (50 - 130 kHz)
Force constant
2.8 N/m (0.7 - 9 N/m)
Length
240 µm (230 - 250 µm)
Width
35 µm (30 - 40 µm)
Thickness
3 µm (2 - 4 µm)
NT-TERS-Au-335 GOLD. Tapping Mode AFM Probe with Real Tip Visibility
Cantilever main technical data
- Resonance Frequency: 335 KHz
- Force Constant: 45 N/m
- Lenght: 160 µm
TERS Tips Performance
- Enhancement factor ~ 106
- Lateral resolution in TERS: <5nm
- Contrast ~ 20
- Enhancement proved at 633nm laser excitation
- Based on commercial AFM cantilevers
- Notable lifetime due to the irregularity
Other technical data
AFM Tip
Shape
Visible
Tip Radius
<5nm
Coating
Gold Nanoparticles
AFM Cantilever
Resonance Frecuency
335 KHz (210 - 490 kHz)
Force constant
45 N/m (12- 110N/m)
Length
160 µm (150 - 170 µm)
Width
45 µm (40 - 50 µm)
Thickness
4.6 µm (3.6 – 5.6 µm)
SILVER Core TERS Probes
- 5 box: 1.667€
1.895€
- 10 box: 2.987€
3.395€
NT-TERS-Ag-85 Silver. Force Modulation with Real Tip Visibility
Cantilever main technical data
- Resonance Frequency: 85 KHz
- Force Constant: 2.8 N/m
- Lenght: 240 µm
TERS Tips Performance
- Enhancement factor ~ 106
- Lateral resolution in TERS: <5nm
- Contrast ~ 40
- Enhancement proved at 633nm laser excitation
- Based on commercial AFM cantilevers
- Notable lifetime due to the irregularity and gold layer
Other technical data
AFM Tip
Shape
Visible
Tip Radius
<5nm
Coating
Silver and Gold Nanoparticles
AFM Cantilever
Resonance Frecuency
85 KHz (50 - 130 kHz)
Force constant
2.8 N/m (0.7 - 9 N/m)
Length
240 µm (230 - 250 µm)
Width
35 µm (30 - 40 µm)
Thickness
3 µm (2 - 4 µm)
NT-TERS-Ag-335 Silver. Tapping Mode AFM Probe with Real Tip Visibility
Cantilever main technical data
- Resonance Frequency: 335 KHz
- Force Constant: 45 N/m
- Lenght: 160 µm
TERS Tips Performance
- Enhancement factor ~ 106
- Lateral resolution in TERS: <5nm
- Contrast ~ 40
- Enhancement proved at 633nm laser excitation
- Based on commercial AFM cantilevers
- Notable lifetime due to the irregularity and gold layer
Other technical data
AFM Tip
Shape
Visible
Tip Radius
<5nm
Coating
Silver and Gold Nanoparticles
AFM Cantilever
Resonance Frecuency
335 KHz (210 - 490 kHz)
Force constant
45 N/m (12 - 110 N/m)
Length
160 µm (150 - 170 µm)
Width
45 µm (40 - 50 µm)
Thickness
4.6 µm (3.6 – 5.6 µm)
