Patent ID: 6038916
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of measuring energy dissipation during interaction between a probe and a sample during oscillatory operation of an atomic force microscope, said probe comprising 1) a cantilever having a base and a free end and 2) a probe tip mounted on said cantilever free end, said method comprising:(A) placing said probe in an operative position in which it is in oscillatory interaction with said sample;(B) measuring an amplitude of probe oscillation and generating an amplitude signal indicative thereof;(C) measuring a phase shift of said cantilever free end relative to said cantilever base and generating a phase signal indicative thereof; and(D) combining the phase and amplitude signals and generating a dissipation signal indicative of energy dissipated due to interaction between said probe and said sample.