Patent · US Expired

Voice coil scanner for use in scanning probe microscope

US6005251A · kind A · utility

3Cited by
3References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 21, 1998
Grant dateDec 21, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 21, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S977/872
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A scanning mechanism is provided for use in a scanning probe microscope. The scanning mechanism includes a stationary portion; a moveable portion; a plurality of springs attaching the moveable portion to the fixed portion, the plurality of springs providing tension against movement of the moveable portion relative to the stationary portion, the tension provided by the plurality of springs having a substantially linear spring constant over a scan distance; and one or more voice coils attached to either the moveable portion or the stationary portion for moving the moveable portion relative to the stationary portion in one or more orthogonal directions.

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