Patent ID: 6656678
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: G01B,G01N,H01L

Abstract:
A method for examination of a surface or surface layer of an object for at least one of a chemical and topographic property, the surface or surface layer having unknown chemical or topographic properties, the method comprising:impinging the object surface with at least one of a known surface-structure selective biocomponent for examination of a topographic property and a known chemoselective biocomponent for examination of a chemical property, the at least one biocomponent being contained in at least one of a nutrient medium and an osmotic protective medium, the at least one of a nutrient medium and an osmotic protective medium being in contact with the object surface; examining the unknown object surface with the at least one biocomponent contained in the at least one nutrient medium and the osmotic protective medium to determine at least one examination measurement value; comparing the at least one examination measurement value with at least one reference measurement value; and determining chemical or topographic characteristics of the originally unknown object surface from a result of the comparison.