Patent · US Expired

Configuration measuring method and apparatus for optically detecting a displacement of a probe due to an atomic force

US5616916A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 27, 1995
Grant dateApr 1, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 27, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S977/87
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Substantially collimated displacement detection light is led to a first lens and condensed by the first lens to proximities to a reflecting surface of a probe. The reflected light is displaced by an atomic force acting against a surface of a sample, where the reflected light varies in reflection angle according to the displacement. The displaced light is lead to the first lens, changed in direction by a mirror, and detected by magnifying the displacement of the probe. The detection further includes steps of moving a Z direction scan block in a direction vertical to the sample surface by a Z direction driving device, the Z direction scan block having the first lens and the probe, moving an X direction scan block in a first axial direction within a plane parallel to the sample surface by an X direction driving device, the X direction scan block having the Z direction scan block, the Z direction driving device, and the mirror, and moving a Y direction scan block by a Y direction driving device in a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction within a plane parallel to the sample surface, the Y direction scan block having the X direction scan block, the X directio…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.