Patent ID: 7966867
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: B82Y,G01Q

Abstract:
1. A scanning probe microscope having a driving mechanism capable of accurately controlling a relative position of a supporting unit of a cantilever with a probe disposed at a tip thereof and a sample stage for holding the sample, and a sensor for measuring the deformation condition of the cantilever, for measuring a three-dimensional surface profile and other surface distributions of a sample: wherein the scanning probe microscope measures the surface profile of the sample by detecting a change in profile appearing in a signal representing the deformation condition of the cantilever when the probe and the sample contact one another while approximating the relative distance of the probe and the sample, recording the height of the probe at that time, and performing the same process at various points on the sample while scanning horizontal positions via the probe, and a delay time due to signal processing of detection of the change in profile of the signal representing the deformation condition of the cantilever is considered, so as to enable the height of the probe to be measured at the point of time when the probe contacts the sample with substantially zero contact force.