Patent ID: 8024816
Filing Date: 2011-09-20
Classification: G01Q

Abstract:
1. An approach method for a probe and a sample in a scanning probe microscope, the scanning probe microscope comprising: the approach method comprising, in detecting the displacement of the cantilever by the displacement detecting mechanism and allowing the probe and the sample to approach each other by at least one of the coarse-movement mechanism and the vertical direction fine-movement mechanism at the same time: exciting the cantilever by the excitation mechanism with a first excitation condition and allowing the probe and the sample to approach each other with a first stop condition; and exciting, after an approach operation with the first stop condition, the cantilever with a second excitation condition that is different from the first excitation condition, setting a second stop condition, and allowing the probe and the sample to approach each other by the at least one of the vertical direction fine-movement mechanism and the coarse-movement mechanism until the second stop condition is satisfied.