Patent ID: 6836112
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,G01R,Y10S

Abstract:
A cantilever-free magnetic resonance force microscope comprising:a magnetically active particle at a first position for producing a magnetic field gradient on a sample to be observed, said particle having mutually orthogonal X, Y, Z axes and being spaced away from said sample along said Z axis, said sample interacting with said field gradient to produce forces acting between said particle and sample; electromagnetic means creating magnetic fields for suspending said particle without mechanical support at said first position;detection means for outputting first detection signals corresponding in magnitude to magnitudes of displacement of said particle from said first position; processing means for receiving said first detection signals and converting said first detection signals to control signals, said control signals being input to said magnetic means for suspending said particle to modify said magnetic fields, said particle being returned toward said first position by said electromagnetic means; means for interacting with said sample to change said forces between said sample and said particle and thereby to cause instantaneous displacement of said particle along said Z axis, one said detection signal corresponding to Z-direction displacement of said particle indicating changes of said forces in said Z-direction.