Tungsten Electrodes, Standard Tip

(MicroProbes)
Description

Tungsten is a versatile and widely-used microelectrode material that offers a good balance between performance and cost.

Advantages Disadvantages
  • Extremely strong and stiff metal provides probes with exceptional rigidity.
  • Great for acute and chronic recording due to biocompatibility and lower cost.
  • High corrosion resistance offers consistent long-term performance.
  • Does not provide the same degree of electrochemical performance or stability as platinum-iridium alloy, making it a poor alternative for microstimulation.
  • Lower charge transfer capacity of tungsten will result in larger, potentially unsafe interfacial potentials when applying the same stimulation current as to a platinum-iridium electrode.
  • Certain pH or stimulation conditions can lead to tungsten corrosion.

These monopolar microelectrodes of MicroProbes are also available in Platinum-Iridium, Elgiloy (an alloy similar to stainless steel), and Pure Iridium metal. The electrodes are insulated with a thin film of vapor-deposited Parylene-C. As an option we provide them surrounded by Polymide tubing. Each electrode is etched to a fine taper and tipped using a proprietary process to a specific impedance value. Four different tip profiles are available, see below.

We offer a variety of different tip alternatives for those that prefer a specialized electrode profile for their research. The tip selection can provide subtle yet important changes to the performance of the electrode. It is recommended that first time users consider experimenting with different tip profiles to determine which works best for their recording or stimulation protocols.

For some applications concentric or bipolar electrodes (stereotrodes) are useful.

 

Monopolar Electrodes, Tungsten, Standard Tip
(75 µm × 3")

Item

Length

Shaft Diameter

Tip Diameter

Impedance

Applications

Pkg of 10

WE3003X.XA3
(Assorted box)

76 mm

0.081 mm

2-3 µm

0.1 MΩ to
2.0 MΩ

General purpose recording

WE30030.01A3

76 mm

0.081 mm

0.01 MΩ

MultiUnit & ERP recording & Stim

WE30030.05A3

76 mm

0.081 mm

0.05 MΩ

WE30030.1A3

76 mm

0.081 mm

0.1 MΩ

WE30030.5A3

76 mm

0.081 mm

0.5 MΩ

Single & multiunit rec. & stim.

WE30031.0A3

76 mm

0.081 mm

1.0 MΩ

WE30031.5A3

76 mm

0.081 mm

1.5 MΩ

WE30032.0A3

76 mm

0.081 mm

2.0 MΩ

WE30032.5A3

76 mm

0.081 mm

2.5 MΩ

Greater Selectivity - Small Cells

WE30033.0A3

76 mm

0.081 mm

3.0 MΩ

WE30035.0A3

76 mm

0.081 mm

5.0 MΩ

 

Monopolar Electrodes, Tungsten, Standard Tip
(125 µm × 3")

Item

Length

Shaft Diameter

Tip Diameter

Impedance

Applications

Pkg of 10

WE3003X.XA5
(Assorted box)

76 mm

0.127 mm

2-3 µm

0.1 MΩ to
2.0 MΩ

General purpose recording

WE30030.01A5

76 mm

0.127 mm

0.01 MΩ

MultiUnit & ERP recording & Stim

WE30030.05A5

76 mm

0.127 mm

0.05 MΩ

WE30030.1A5

76 mm

0.127 mm

0.1 MΩ

WE30030.5A5

76 mm

0.127 mm

0.5 MΩ

Single & multiunit rec. & stim.

WE30031.0A5

76 mm

0.127 mm

1.0 MΩ

WE30031.5A5

76 mm

0.127 mm

1.5 MΩ

WE30032.0A5

76 mm

0.127 mm

2.0 MΩ

WE30032.5A5

76 mm

0.127 mm

2.5 MΩ

Greater Selectivity - Small Cells

WE30033.0A5

76 mm

0.127 mm

3.0 MΩ

WE30035.0A5

76 mm

0.127 mm

5.0 MΩ

 

Monopolar Electrodes, Tungsten, Standard Tip
(250 µm × 3")

Item

Length

Shaft Diameter

Tip Diameter

Impedance

Applications

Pkg of 10

WE3003X.XA10
(Assorted box)

76 mm

0.256 mm

2-3 µm

0.1 MΩ to
2.0 MΩ

General purpose recording

WE30030.01A10

76 mm

0.256 mm

0.01 MΩ

MultiUnit & ERP recording & Stim

WE30030.05A10

76 mm

0.256 mm

0.05 MΩ

WE30030.1A10

76 mm

0.256 mm

0.1 MΩ

WE30030.5A10

76 mm

0.256 mm

0.5 MΩ

Single & multiunit rec. & stim.

WE30031.0A10

76 mm

0.256 mm

1.0 MΩ

WE30031.5A10

76 mm

0.256 mm

1.5 MΩ

WE30032.0A10

76 mm

0.256 mm

2.0 MΩ

WE30032.5A10

76 mm

0.256 mm

2.5 MΩ

Greater Selectivity - Small Cells

WE30033.0A10

76 mm

0.256 mm

3.0 MΩ

 

Monopolar Electrodes, Tungsten, Standard Tip
(125 µm × 3")

Item

Length

Shaft Diameter

Tip Diameter

Impedance

Applications

Pkg of 10

WE5003X.XA5
(Assorted box)

127 mm

0.127 mm

2-3 µm

0.1 MΩ to
2.0 MΩ

General purpose recording

WE50030.01A5

127 mm

0.127 mm

0.01 MΩ

MultiUnit & ERP recording & Stim

WE50030.05A5

127 mm

0.127 mm

0.05 MΩ

WE50030.1A5

127 mm

0.127 mm

0.1 MΩ

WE50030.5A5

127 mm

0.127 mm

0.5 MΩ

Single & multiunit rec. & stim.

WE50031.0A5

127 mm

0.127 mm

1.0 MΩ

WE50031.5A5

127 mm

0.127 mm

1.5 MΩ

WE50032.0A5

127 mm

0.127 mm

2.0 MΩ

WE50032.5A5

127 mm

0.127 mm

2.5 MΩ

Greater Selectivity - Small Cells

WE50033.0A5

127 mm

0.127 mm

3.0 MΩ

WE50035.0A5

127 mm

0.127 mm

5.0 MΩ

 

Monopolar Electrodes, Tungsten, Standard Tip
(250 µm × 5")

Item

Length

Shaft Diameter

Tip Diameter

Impedance

Applications

Pkg of 10

WE5003X.XA10
(Assorted box)

127 mm

0.256 mm

2-3 µm

0.1 MΩ to
2.0 MΩ

General purpose recording

WE50030.01A10

127 mm

0.256 mm

0.01 MΩ

MultiUnit & ERP recording & Stim

WE50030.05A10

127 mm

0.256 mm

0.05 MΩ

WE50030.1A10

127 mm

0.256 mm

0.1 MΩ

WE50030.5A10

127 mm

0.256 mm

0.5 MΩ

Single & multiunit rec. & stim.

WE50031.0A10

127 mm

0.256 mm

1.0 MΩ

WE50031.5A10

127 mm

0.256 mm

1.5 MΩ

WE50032.0A10

127 mm

0.256 mm

2.0 MΩ

WE50032.5A10

127 mm

0.256 mm

2.5 MΩ

Greater Selectivity - Small Cells

WE50033.0A10

127 mm

0.256 mm

3.0 MΩ

 

Common Tip Profiles:

Standard
A - STANDARD TIP PROFILE
The standard tip profile features a sharp yet robust point that offers versatile performance and an effective balance between penetration and durability.
Blunted
B - BLUNTED TIP PROFILE
The blunted electrodes are engineered to have a more rounded, bullet-shaped tip. For many applications the blunted tip can offer superior stimulation performance.
Tapered
H - HEAT TREATED TAPERED TIP PROFILE
The heat-treated electrodes are intended for those investigators who must penetrate their probes through tough membranes, such as the dura mater of larger mammals.
Extra Fine
F - EXTRA FINE TIP PROFILE
The extra-fine tip profile features a significantly sharper taper as well as a thinner insulation layer.

 

Also see:

Selecting the Optimum Electrode Configuration