Patent ID: 6661006
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: G01Q

Abstract:
A scanning probe instrument for bringing a probe into close proximity to a surface of a sample and causing relative scanning movement of the probe with respect to the sample in X- and Y-directions while finely moving the probe in a Z direction such that a gap between the probe and the sample is maintained at a constant value, the scanning probe instrument comprising:fine motion signal-generating means for generating a fine motion signal to move the probe finely in at least one of the X-, Y-, and Z-directions; an attenuator for amplifying or attenuating the fine motion signal and outputting the amplified or attenuated fine motion signal; fine driver means for finely driving the probe according to the output signal of the attenuator; and storing means for storing a known dimension and a result of a length measurement; wherein the attenuator amplifies or attenuates the fine motion signal according to a dimensional relation between the known dimension and the result of the length measurement stored in the storing means.