Patent ID: 7194897
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: B82Y,G01Q

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a sensing means for sensing the sample surface based on an amplitude variation in a resonant frequency of the sensing means by keeping a uniform distance from the sample which is moving in X and Y directions; a frequency transforming means for transforming the sensed by the sensing means to a first signal in the form of a frequency; a frequency combining means for combining the first signal and a second signal outputted from a frequency generator to generate a combined signal, wherein the second signal is identical to the resonant frequency and is a higher frequency compared to the first signal; and a single actuator for actuating the sensing means in response to the first signal which is a lower frequency compared to the second signal and providing the combined signal to the sensing means to actuate the sensing means selectively at the second signal, the single actuator to oscillate a cantilever coupled to the single actuator with the second signal that is separated from the combined signal, wherein the apparatus scans the sample surface in a non-contact mode, and the single actuator functions as a low pass filter by responding to the first signal.