Patent ID: 6667467
Filing Date: 2003-12-23
Classification: G01Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A microprobe for a scanning probe microscope, comprising: a support portion; a first lever portion supported by the support portion; a second lever portion supported by the support portion adjacent to and spaced from the first lever portion; a first bending portion connected to and separate from the first lever portion; a second bending portion connected to and separate from the second lever portion and adjacent to and spaced from the first bending portion; a movable portion connected to both the first bending portion and the second bending portion; a first stylus and a second stylus provided on the movable portion, the second stylus being closer to the second bending portion than to the first bending portion; heating means provided only on the surface of the first lever for applying heat to the surface of the first lever portion so as to bend the first lever portion and the first bending portion and separate the first stylus of the movable portion from a sample to thereby permit sample inspection using the second stylus unimpeded by the first stylus; and piezoresistive elements disposed at the first and second bending portions so that a bending amount of the movable portion is detectable as a change in resistance values of the piezoresistive elements.