The KolibriSensor™ from SPECS represents a new quartz sensor on the market that excels in its performance and its reliability. The spectral deflection noise density obtained with the novel external KolibriPreamp is below 1 fm/√Hz. This is a key advantage of the KolibriSensor™ , which results in faster acquisition and higher resolution. Even with the high spring constant of 540 kN/m, the KolibriSensor™ has a signal-to-noise ratio an order of magnitude better than tuning forks while the frequency shift per force gradient is of the same order as a typical tuning fork.

The KolibriSensor™ is based on a symmetrical length extension resonator. Having an extremely small tip weighing on the order of 1 μg, it does not significantly disturb the symmetry of the quartz oscillator.  The high resonance frequency of 1 MHz and the good signal-to-noise ratio allows for faster data acquisition in scanning microscopy and force spectroscopy.  Oscillation amplitudes may be set below 20 pm. High stiffness prevents snap-in and the low noise floor continues to give a good frequency shift signal.  The tip of the KolibriSensor™ has a separate contact, guaranteeing clean separation of the signals from the tunneling tip and from the quartz force sensor.

Whether the interest is in force spectroscopy or any kind of tunneling spectroscopy, the KolibriSensor™, with its well-defined electrical characteristics and the ability to measure the force gradient directly, is the ideal sensor for quantitative research with SPM.