Cantilever Preparation
Silicon Nitride Cantilever Substrates
Rev. B
MultiMode SPM Instruction Manual
65
Figure 4.2b
Substrate Break-Off
Extra substrates are easily stored in a covered container. The shipped substrates are held on X0-
grade, GEL-PAK™ adhesive strips. The strips are used to permit easy removal of the substrates. If
GEL-PAK adhesive strips can't be found, a simple substitute is the adhesive area from a Post-it
note. When placing the substrates on the adhesive, be careful that the cantilevers are on the top side
of the substrate.
5. Each substrate has two cantilevers on each end of the substrate. Both 100 and 200µm length
cantilevers with two different leg widths are provided. When ready to use a cantilever
substrate, it may be desirable to remove the unused cantilevers from that substrate, but it is
not necessary. For most applications, use the 100µm cantilever with the wider legs. For
atomic scale images, the 200µm triangular cantilever with the wider legs can yield good
results.
Figure 4.2c
Substrate Shown with the 100 and 200µm Long Cantilevers
Cantilever
Substrate
Edge of Glass
Slide
Press Here to
Break Off
Saw-Cuts
Edge of Glass Slide
Cantilever Substrate
Saw Cuts
Grip here with wide tweezers.
Rotate downward until
snaps off.
substrate
Hold down here with
end of cotton swab
Wider Cantilevers
Slimmer Cantilevers
