Diamond Probes

A gemological diamond tester pen measures thermal conductivity. Diamonds quickly draw heat from the pen's tip, which the device detects. Our diamond AFM probes leverage this same principle—high thermal conductivity and hardness—for precise, wear-resistant scanning at the nanoscale, not for gemstone identification.

Diamond probes are used for applications requiring high durability and hardness. This includes nanomechanical testing like indentation, high-resolution imaging of hard materials, and any scenario where standard silicon probes would wear out quickly. They ensure consistent imaging quality and longevity.

Our AFM cantilevers and probes are compatible with all major brand AFM systems. For help confirming fit and optimal performance for your specific instrument and research application, please consult our technical support team.

While diamond probes excel on hard materials, they are generally not the first choice for soft biological samples like cells or DNA due to their high stiffness. For such applications, we recommend using one of our softer cantilever types specifically designed for liquid imaging and biological research.

The primary advantage is durability. A diamond-coated tip offers exceptional wear resistance when scanning rough or hard surfaces. This results in a longer tip lifetime, more consistent scan results over time, and the ability to perform mechanical property measurements on various materials.

Our versatile cantilever series, including diamond-coated variants, supports multiple imaging modes. This includes standard contact mode and tapping mode, as well as MAC Mode for precise oscillation control in both gas and liquid environments, providing flexibility for a wide range of advanced research applications.