Patent ID: 8058886
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A probe for determining an electrical property of an area of a surface of a test sample, said probe intended to be in a specific orientation relative to said test sample, said probe comprising: a supporting body defining a first surface, a plurality of cantilever arms extending from said supporting body in co-planar relationship with said first surface, said plurality of cantilever arms extending substantially parallel to each other, each of said plurality of cantilever arms including an electrical conductive tip for contacting said area of said test sample by movement of said probe relative to said surface of said test sample into said specific orientation, and a contact detector extending from said supporting body arranged so as to contact said surface of said test sample prior to or simultaneously with any one of said plurality of cantilever arms contacting said surface of said test sample when performing said movement, where said contact detector is a strain gauge sensor comprising: a flexible arm having a base split into two anchoring arms, and an electrical pathway of a non-piezoresistive material going out through one of said anchoring arms to said flexible arm and back through the other of said anchoring arms.