Patent ID: 6817231
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A scanning probe microscope for ultra-sensitive electro-magnetic field detection, comprising: scanning means for scanning the vicinity of a surface of a sample with a cantilever having a microscopic probe; and means for obtaining shape information and physical information of the sample surface based on flexure of the cantilever while the cantilever is being scanned across the surface of the sample; wherein the microscopic probe has a base portion on the cantilever and a tip portion extending from the base portion, and a distal end of the tip portion is formed of a giant magnetostrictive material which is a magnetostrictive material having a large magnetostriction characteristic in a weak magnetic field for detecting an electromagnetic field in a local portion of the sample surface by undergoing deformation when exposed to a magnetic field.