Patent ID: 9689893
Date: 2017-06-27
CPC Classifications: G01Q

Claim:
1. A scanning probe microscope comprising: a cantilever provided with a probe that approaches or comes in contact with a surface of a sample; a sample stage that supports the sample thereon; a three-dimensional moving mechanism that three-dimensionally moves the sample stage; and a measurement chamber having an internal space that is sealed not to be exposed to external air, wherein at least the cantilever, the sample stage, and the three-dimensional moving mechanism are accommodated in the measurement chamber, wherein the measurement chamber includes: an introduction hole through which the sample stage is introduced into the measurement chamber; and a pair of guide rails that transport the sample stage introduced through the introduction hole to a predetermined position in the measurement chamber, wherein the sample stage is provided with an engagement portion that is engaged with the guide rails and is installed to travel along the guide rails, wherein the three-dimensional moving mechanism is installed in the vicinity of the predetermined position, is installed to move up above the guide rails and down below the guide rails between the pair of guide rails, and wherein when the sample stage is transported to the predetermined position, the three-dimensional moving mechanism is lifted from below the guide rails and mounted to a bottom surface of the sample stage so that measurement of the sample is performed.