Patent · US Expired

Fine movement mechanism unit and scanning probe microscope

US6229607A · kind A · utility

59Cited by
7References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 29, 1998
Grant dateMay 8, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 29, 2018

Classification

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

Abstract

A fine movement mechanism unit is configured by a supporting member, two fixed sections fixed to this supporting member, two pairs of parallel-plate flexural sections disposed between the two fixed sections, an X fine movement mechanism, a Y fine movement mechanism, and a Z fine movement mechanism. The X fine movement mechanism has an X moving section movable in an X direction, connected to each of the two fixed sections through the two pairs of parallel-plate flexural sections, and two X direction piezoelectric actuators causing the X moving section to move. The Y fine movement mechanism arranged to the X moving section, has other two pairs of parallel-plate flexural sections, a Y moving section movable in the Y direction, connected to the X moving section through the other two pairs of parallel-plate flexural sections, and two Y direction piezoelectric actuators causing the Y moving section to move relatively to the X moving section. The Z fine movement mechanism arranged to the Y moving section, has a Z moving section movable in a Z direction perpendicular to both of the X and Y directions, and a Z direction piezoelectric actuator causing the Z moving section to move.

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