Patent · US Expired

Scanning probe microscope

US6278113A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
5References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 6, 1998
Grant dateAug 21, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 6, 2018

Classification

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

Abstract

A scanning probe microscope is provided with a probe tip directed to a sample surface, an XYZ fine movement mechanism for providing a relative positional change between the sample and the probe tip, and a displacement detecting section for detecting the displacement of the probe tip. The scanning probe microscope measures the surface characteristic of the sample by using a control signal. This control signal is generated on a signal outputted from the displacement detecting section and is used for keeping a state of a mutual action generated between the sample and the probe tip identical to a predetermined state, while the probe tip scans the surface of the sample based on the operation of the XYZ fine movement mechanism. Further, it comprises a moving section arranged on a standard surface of a microscope stage, which has the sample on an upper surface and moves along the standard surface based on a static pressure guide, a height-position control section for selectively supplying high-pressure fluid to the moving section so as to carry out the static pressure guide and controlling the height-position of the moving section to the standard surface, and an actuating mechanism for mo…

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