Patent ID: 6081113
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,G01R,G11B,Y10S

Abstract:
A magnetic force microscope for detecting the magnetic force of a magnetic sample having a given magnetization direction, the magnetic force microscope comprising: a magnetic probe having a tip portion, the tip portion being coated with a film of hard-magnetic material effective to maintain the magnetization direction of the probe constant and parallel to the given magnetization direction of the sample; a leaf spring having the probe attached thereto at a free end thereof, the leaf spring being resiliently deflectable in response to the magnetic force between the magnetic probe and the sample; means for imparting a DC voltage between the magnetic probe and the magnetic sample to generate an electrostatic attractive force not lower than the magnetic force between the magnetic probe and the sample; and means for moving the probe to maintain the sum of said magnetic force and said electrostatic force constant.