Patent ID: 6740876
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A scanning probe microscope which observes microscopic structures on a sample surface, comprising: a probe responsive to an atomic force generated when brought into close proximity to the sample surface; scanning means for performing raster scanning of the probe along a first scanning axis substantially parallel to the sample surface and a second scanning axis substantially parallel to the sample surface and orthogonal to the first scanning axis of the sample surface and maintaining the probe in close proximity to the sample to cause the probe to move relatively in the direction of a third scanning axis orthogonal to both the first scanning axis and the second scanning axis so as to follow undulations on the sample surface; scanning control means for controlling relative raster scanning of the probe with respect to the sample; and displacement detection means for measuring relative position and displacement of the probe relative to the sample by measuring displacement of the scanning means in the direction of the second scanning axis or the third scanning axis and outputting a feedback signal based on the detected position and displacement, the feedback signal being used for controlling the probe position; wherein the scanning control means receives the feedback signal and performs feedback control by controlling the prove position in accordance therewith such that the relative position or displacement of the probe with respect to the sample in the direction of the scanning axis having the lower scanning frequency of the first scanning axis and the second scanning axis becomes constant during either an entire period or a portion of a period of scanning in the direction of the other scanning axis having the higher scanning frequency, and the scanning control means includes scanning speed adjustment means for adjusting the speed of the raster scanning in the direction of one of the first and second scanning axes, and sampling pulse generating means for generating sampling pulses at predetermined times.