Patent ID: 6245204
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A scanning probe microscope capable of simultaneously measuring topographical and electrochemical measurements of a surface, comprising:a cantilever assembly having an electrically conductive material with a protruding tip, said cantilever assembly is substantially completely covered with an electrically non-conductive material except for a portion of said protruding tip;an oscillator which moves the position of said cantilever assembly relative to said surface;a detector which detects the position of said cantilever assembly relative to said surface as a measure of the topology of said surface;a voltage source for establishing an electrical potential between said protruding tip and said surface;an insulated electrical connection between said electrically conductive material and said voltage source; and,a lockin circuit which synchronously detects an oscillating component of electrical current flow into or out of said protruding tip as a measure of the electrochemical current of said surface when said electrical potential between said protruding tip and said surface and the position of said cantilever assembly relative to said surface permit electrical current flow.