Magnetic modulation of force sensor for AC detection in an atomic force microscope
US6134955A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S977/875
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A scanning probe microscope for generating a signal corresponding to the surface characteristics of a scanned sample is provided and includes a force sensing probe tip disposed on a first side of a free end of a flexible cantilever which is adapted to be brought into close proximity to a sample surface; a magnetized material disposed on a second side opposite the first side of the flexible cantilever; an XY scanner for generating relative scanning movement between the force sensing probe tip and the sample surface; a Z control for adjusting the distance between the force sensing probe tip and the sample surface; and a deflection detector for generating a deflection signal indicative of deflection of the flexible cantilever. The scanning probe microscope also includes an ac signal source and a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field, with the magnetic field generator being coupled to the ac signal source so as to modulate the magnetic field with the ac signal. The force-sensing cantilever is magnetized with a moment along the soft axis of the cantilever.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.