Patent ID: 6833923
Filing Date: 2004-12-21
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for detecting features of an object comprising:scanning at least one of the object, an area immediately surrounding the object, and an interior of the object, wherein a scanning particle trapped within a trapping potential performs the scan, said scanning being effected by: configuring the trapping potential in a position zone defined relative to one of the object and a reference point in a first position determining stage associated with a first order of magnitude, and performing a substantially free three-dimensional scan within a scan volume associated with the position zone using the scanning particle trapped within and controlled by the trapping potential in a second position determining stage associated with a second order of magnitude smaller than the first order of magnitude of the first position determining stage; and detecting a plurality of positions assumed by the scanning particle while scanning the scan volume, wherein the features of the object detected are at least one of physical, chemical, and biological.