Patent ID: 8316693
Filing Date: 2012-11-27
Classification: G01Q

Abstract:
1. A scanning probe microscope comprising: a stage on which a sample is mounted; a nozzle having a tip with a hole through which a fluid is sprayed on the surface of the sample; a pressure sensor for sensing varying flow resistance values of the fluid depending on the surface topography of the sample after the fluid is sprayed on and collides with the sample surface; a scanner for moving the stage, on which the sample is mounted, in the X, Y and Z axis directions to control the distance between the end of the nozzle, from which the fluid is sprayed, and the sample surface and to enable scanning over the sample surface in order to maintain the varying flow resistance values of the fluid constant after signals are received from the pressure sensor; and an output unit for representing the operational values of the scanner as brightness values on a computer screen to acquire information regarding the surface topography of the sample and flatness, a sectional diagram and a three-dimensional diagram of each portion of the sample and related statistical data, wherein the nozzle further includes a connecting tube branched from the outer circumference of a connecting part to supply a functional liquid to the connecting part therethrough, and the functional liquid joins the fluid supplied through a flow valve and is sprayed in a limited range on a particular location of the sample surface through the hole of the nozzle tip, and wherein said pressure sensor generates variable values of the flow resistance of the functional liquid resulting from the collision of the liquid with the sample surface and provides the values to the output unit to represent the surface topography of the sample.