Patent ID: 6100534
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A microscopic area scanning apparatus provided with at least three hollow cylindrical piezoelectric elements each driven in three XYZ directions by one of divided electrodes, said microscopic area scanning apparatus comprising:three or more hollow cylindrical piezoelectric elements arranged on a circumference of a common plane;a plurality of balls each axially provided at a free end of a respective one of the hollow cylindrical piezoelectric elements;a plurality of ball retainers each rotatably and slidably holding a respective one of the balls in contact therewith;a sample stage fixed to said ball retainers; anda table for fixing said hollow cylindrical piezoelectric elements on the circumference of the common plane, said table being provided at a fixed end of said hollow cylindrical piezoelectric element.