Patent ID: 6134955
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A scanning probe microscope for generating a signal corresponding to the surface characteristics of a scanned sample comprising:a force sensing probe tip disposed on a first side of a free end of a flexible cantilever and adapted to be brought into close proximity to a sample surface; a magnetized material disposed on a second side opposite said first side of said flexible cantilever; an XY scanner for generating relative scanning movement between said force sensing probe tip and said sample surface; a Z control for adjusting the distance between said force sensing probe tip and said sample surface; a deflection detector for generating a deflection signal indicative of deflection of said flexible cantilever; an ac signal source; a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field, said magnetic field generator being coupled to said ac signal source so as to modulate said magnetic field with said ac signal; and a synchronous detector having said ac signal as a reference input and said deflection signal as a signal input, an output of said synchronous detector corresponding to the surface characteristics of the scanned sample; said magnetized material having a magnetic moment parallel to the soft axis of said flexible cantilever.