Patent ID: 6748795
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A scanner for a scanning probe microscope comprising, a microscope base; an optical stage comprising a source of a collimated beam of light, at least one beam-tracking element, and a first scanning element for generating movement of said optical stage in a first plane; a sample stage; a cantilever probe having a light-reflective surface, said probe having a first end having a tip extending toward said sample stage and a second end coupled to said first scaning element; a second scanning element for generating movement of said optical stage in a second plane orthogonal to said first plane for scanning said probe tip across the surface of a sample, said second scanning element being coupled to said microscope base; and a position sensitive detector adapted to receive a beam of light reflected from said surface of said cantilever probe and to produce a signal indicative of the angular movement of said reflected beam of collimated light resulting from the movement of said probe tip across said surface of said sample.