Patent ID: 6310342
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: G01Q,Y10S

Abstract:
An optical microscope stage comprising:a sample stage having a horizontal surface on which a sample holder may be positioned;a coarse x-y control stage for supporting a head of a scanning probe microscope (SPM) above the sample stage and moving the SPM head relative to the sample stage; anda member positioned adjacent the horizontal surface of the sample stage, the member comprising an internal perimeter that defines an interior space which allows a sample holder to be positioned on the horizontal surface of the sample stage within the internal perimeter, the member being laterally movable relative to the horizontal surface independent of the sample holder such that the member repositions the sample holder relative to the horizontal surface by laterally pushing the sample holder without lifting the sample holder, the interior space defined by the inner perimeter of the member being sufficiently large that the sample holder may be within the interior space without contacting the internal perimeter of the member.