Patent · US Expired

Atomic force microscope with integrated optics for attachment to optical microscope

US5952657A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
8References
40Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 22, 1997
Grant dateSep 14, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 22, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S977/869
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Atomic force microscope system is provided which is designed to be incorporated into or attachable to an objective lens which can be mounted on a lens turret of an optical microscope such that simultaneous atomic force microscopy and optical viewing of a sample through the objective lens can be performed. In one embodiment, the atomic force microscope (AFM) is designed to be removably attached to a standard objective lens of an optical microscope. In another embodiment, the AFM system is designed to be removably attached to an optical microscope and includes integrated optics for providing an optical view. In both embodiments, the optics are used solely for generating an optical view and/or other optical contrast mechanisms and are not used in conjunction with a detection mechanism of the AFM.

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