Method to increase the speed of a scanning probe microscope
US4954704A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 1989 |
| Grant date | Sep 4, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S977/851
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In a scanning probe microscope having a probe moved by a piezoelectric 3-dimensional positioner in perpendicular X and Y directions over the surface of a sample to create a raster scan thereof and feedback controlled and sensed in a Z direction vertical to the surface to gather data about the topography of the surface, this is a method of operating the piezoelectric 3-dimensional positioner to increase the speed of gathering data about a scanning area of the surface being scanned. The method comprises the steps of, causing the positioner to traverse the surface from a first edge of the scanning area with the probe in a +X direction at a first rate of speed while feedback controlling and sensing the Z direction; causing the positioner to lift the probe above the surface a clearance distance at a second edge of the scanning area opposite the first edge in the +X direction; and, causing the positioner to return the probe to the first edge in a -X direction without feedback control thereof at a second rate of speed which is faster than the first rate of speed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.