Patent · US Expired

Bent probe microscopy

US5677978A · kind A · utility

18Cited by
8References
10Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 7, 1996
Grant dateOct 14, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 7, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S977/881
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A general purpose force sensor for measuring nanometer scale surface topography and other characteristics includes a hollow micropipette having an inner diameter of about 7.5 nanometers at its tip. The probe includes a cantilevered structure obtained by heating it near the tip to bend it. A reflective coating is then applied to the outer surface of the micropipette.

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