Patent ID: 7566884
Filing Date: 2009-07-28
Classification: G01N,H01J

Abstract:
1. A specimen holder for an electron microscope having an electron optical column, said specimen holder comprising: a specimen holder installation member extending through the electron optical column; a specimen holder outer cylinder supported by the specimen holder installation member so as to be movable along an axis of the specimen holder extending through the electron optical column, the axis intersecting an electron beam path; a specimen support member supported at a front end of said specimen holder outer cylinder and having an opening through which an electron beam passes; specimen holding means for holding said specimen in such a way that the specimen holding means plugs a part of said opening and that the specimen is electrically insulated from said specimen support member; and a probe position fine adjustment mechanism for bringing at least one probe for current measurement into desired positions on the specimen, the probe being capable of being adjusted in position along three mutually perpendicular axes including said axis of the specimen holder, wherein said probe fine adjustment mechanism comprises: a lever having a front-end portion carrying the probe thereon while electrically isolated from the probe; a spherical body which allows movement of the lever along the axis of the holder and which acts as a pivotal point permitting movement of the front end of the probe in two axial directions perpendicular to the axis of the holder by rotation of the lever; a support member for supporting the spherical body to the specimen holder outer cylinder; a translational motion mechanism disposed at an end of the lever located opposite to the end of the lever carrying the probe with the spherical body interposed therebetween and acting to move the lever in the three axial directions including the direction of the axis of the holder; and a resilient body mounted in a position opposite to said translational motion mechanism with the lever interposed therebetween to push back the lever.