Patent ID: 8726409
Filing Date: 2014-05-13
Classification: G01Q

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a scanning probe microscope having a probe, adapted to be associated with a specimen to be imaged, equipped with a scanning element carried by a piezo-electric support member arranged for performing distance regulation between the scanning element and the surface of the specimen under investigation and for moving the scanning element in directions parallel to the surface of the specimen for achieving the scanning of the surface, the method comprising: driving the scanning element along at least a scanning trajectory over the surface of the specimen; acquiring an electric signal indicative of a predetermined reading parameter representative of the interaction between the scanning element and the specimen at each scanning position; and adjusting the height of the scanning element over the specimen as a function of the acquired signal; i) a characterization stage, including: ii) a measurement stage, including driving the scanning element along at least a scanning trajectory over the surface of the specimen at a frequency selected among the frequencies included in a fast scanning frequency window.