Patent ID: 6220084
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,G01R,Y10S

Abstract:
Apparatus for measuring topographical features of a sample surface and a force field extending outward therefrom, wherein said apparatus comprises:a cantilever having proximal and distal ends;a probe tip mounted at said distal end of said cantilever;lateral drive means creating intermittent relative scanning motion between said probe tip and said sample surface, along a scan line on said sample surface, wherein said probe tip and said sample surface are held during a sampling period with said probe tip adjacent each sampling point within a plurality thereof along said scan line, between said relative scanning motion along said scan line;vertical drive means causing relative motion between said probe and said sample surface along a Z-axis perpendicular to said sample surface, in accordance with a position signal applied to said vertical drive means;excitation drive means vibrating said proximal end of said cantilever;a vibration detector detecting amplitudes of vibrations of said probe tip;control means generating said position control signal in accordance with a correction signal determined from an output of said vibration detector to maintain a constant level of engagement between said probe tip and said sample surface during said relative scanning motion, with said control means generating said position control signal and operating said excitation drive means to vibrate said probe tip out of engagement with said sample surface during each said sampling period; anddata storage means storing, for each said sampling point, a first value determined from said position control signal with said probe being vibrated in engagement with said sample surface, and a second value determined from an output of said vibration detector with said probe being vibrated out of engagement with said sample surface, with said first value indicating a topographical level of said sample surface, and with said second value indicating a condition of said force field.