Patent ID: 6552339
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: G01B,G01Q,G11B,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for testing the interactive forces between two molecular structures with a scanning probe microscope at differing degrees of tip interaction, the scanning probe microscope having a goniometer including a cantilever having a cantilevered end and a supported end, a tip supported at the cantilevered end, and a block disposed at the supported end, said block having at least one pair of piezoelectric layers for controlling the tip about a substrate surface, the tip having a first molecular structure and the substrate surface having a second molecular structure, the method comprising the steps of:bringing the tip in proximity to the substrate surface at a first angle relative to the substrate surface by controlling said at least one pair of piezoelectric layers, said piezoelectric layers being individually deformable at different rates resulting in deformation of said block and tilting of the cantilever and tip connected therewith, such that a force of interaction exists between the tip and substrate surface, measuring the interactive force between the tip and the substrate surface for the first angle, varying the tip angle to a second angle by controlling said at least one pair of piezoelectric layers, and measuring the interactive force at the second angle.