Patent ID: 8912789
Filing Date: 2014-12-16
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,G01R

Abstract:
1. A magnetic force microscope provided with a unit that measures an undulation distribution as well as a magnetic field distribution on the surface of a magnetic specimen, the magnetic force microscope comprising: a cantilever; a probe provided at the tip of the cantilever, at least part of the probe being provided with a magnetized material; a displacement detector that detects a displacement of the cantilever; a magnetic-field impress-unit that impresses a magnetic field onto the probe; a magnetic field control unit that controls the magnetic field generated by the magnetic-field impress-unit such that a magnetic force impressed onto the probe by the magnetic-field impress-unit is turned zero; and a distance-hold unit that holds a distance between the probe and the specimen to such an extent that the probe does not come into contact with the specimen while controlling the displacement of the cantilever on the basis of a signal sent out from the displacement detector, wherein a magnetic field distribution on the surface of the specimen is acquired while holding the distance between the probe and the specimen to such an extent that the probe does not come into contact with the specimen in a state where the magnetic force impressed onto the probe is turned zero, wherein the magnetic field control unit includes an exciter that causes vibration of the cantilever, and a phase comparator that compares the phase of a signal from the displacement detector with the phase of a signal of the exciter, and wherein the magnetic field control unit controls the magnetic-field impress-unit on the basis of an output from the phase comparator such that a change in the phase of the cantilever is turned zero.