Patent ID: 9410984
Filing Date: 2016-08-09
CPC Classification: G01N,G01Q

Claim Text:
1. A surface force measuring method using an apparatus that includes a supporting member, a probe secured to the supporting member, a spring mechanism resiliently holding the supporting member and allowing the supporting member to move only linearly, and an electromagnetic-force generator configured to generate an electromagnetic force for applying a load to the supporting member, the surface force measuring method comprising: moving an object, to be measured, toward the probe until the probe is adsorbed to the object; then applying a load from the electromagnetic-force generator to the supporting member in a direction as to separate the probe from the object while gradually increasing an electric current supplied to the electromagnetic-force generator; obtaining a value of the electric current supplied to the electromagnetic-force generator when the probe is separated from the object; and converting the value of the electric current into a surface force acting between the probe and the object.