Patent ID: 6201227
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: G01Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A scanning probe microscope comprising: a probe having a probe tip extending in a Z direction; a vibration device having a piezoelectric vibrating body and an AC voltage generator for vibrating the probe tip relative to a surface of a sample; a vibration detecting device having a quartz oscillator and a current/voltage amplifier circuit for detecting vibration of the probe tip; a resilient body for biasing the probe into pressure contact with the quartz oscillator; a coarse displacement device for effecting coarse displacement of the probe in the Z direction to bring the probe tip close to the surface of the sample; a sample-to-probe distance control device having a fine displacement element and a servo circuit for effecting fine displacement the probe tip in the Z direction; a two-dimensional scanning device having a fine displacement element and a scanning circuit for scanning the probe in X and Y directions to generate a measurement signal; a data processing device for converting the measurement signal into a three-dimensional image; and means for cooling the sample.