Surface analyzer

Provided is a conversion mechanism that can be applied to a surface analyzer, etc., the mechanism being capable of smoothly converting a movement direction using a ling mechanism. The moving mechanism is composed of: a link mechanism including a first block, a second block, and a link member pivotally supported by the first block and the second block; a slide mechanism configured to reciprocate the first block in a first direction; and a contact member configured to come into contact with the second block or link member to guide a lifting and lowering movement of the second block in a second direction. The link member is pivotally supported by the first block and the second block so that it can be pivoted about a rotation axis in the third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The contact member has a circular cross-section when viewed from the third direction. When the first block moves toward the contact member, the second block or the link member initially comes into contact with the contact member at a first contact point positioned obliquely above a central axis of the circular cross-section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-092131 filed on May 27, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a surface analyzer which is one example of a device including a conversion mechanism of a movement direction using a link mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 6631674) discloses a surface analyzer for analyzing a sample surface. Patent Document 1 discloses a moving mechanism in which a sample stage holding portion is raised or lowered so that a sample stage is moved upward and downward between a measurement position and a retracted position positioned lower than the measurement position and the sample stage holding portion is reciprocated in the backward and forward direction so that the sample stage is moved between the retracted position and the sample take-out position.

The moving mechanism described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a link mechanism including two blocks (a support provided below and a sample stage holding portion provided above) and a link member connecting the two blocks. The rearward movement of the sample stage holding portion is restricted when the rear surface of the sample stage holding portion comes into contact with the roller. In this state, by moving the support forward and backward, the inclination angle of the link member is changed. Thus, the raising and lowering of the sample stage holding portion is performed.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the moving mechanism described in Patent Document 1, when the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction of the link member (link mechanism) when the sample stage holding portion is brought into contact with the roller is small (e.g., less than 45 degrees), the component of the force acting on the link member in the rotational direction becomes relatively small. As a result, the driving force in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction) cannot necessarily be efficiently converted into the vertical direction, which may cause a case in which the link mechanism is not smoothly operated.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a conversion mechanism capable of smoothly converting a movement direction using a link mechanism, which can be applied to a surface analyzer or the like.

Means for Solving the Problem

A surface analyzer according to the present disclosure is a surface analyzer for analyzing a sample surface. The surface analyzer is provided with a measuring unit, a sample stage for placing a sample, and a moving mechanism for relatively displacing the measuring unit and the sample stage.

The moving mechanism is provided with a link mechanism including a first block, a second block for holding the sample stage, and a link member pivotally supported by the first block and the second block, a slide mechanism for reciprocating the first block in a first direction, and a contact member for guiding the lifting and lowering movement of the second block in a second direction by being brought into contact with the second block or the link member. The link member is pivotally supported by the first block and the second block so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, in the above-described surface analyzer, the surface of the contact member has an obliquely upward normal vector that intersects with the first direction at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees at the first contact point where the second block or the link member initially comes into contact with the contact member when the first block is moved toward the contact member.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, in the above-described surface analyzer, the contact member has a circular cross-section as viewed from the third direction. When the first block is moved towards the contact member, the second block or the link member initially comes into contact with the contact member at a first contact point positioned obliquely above the central axis of the circular cross-section.

In the above-described surface analyzer, when the second block or the link member initially comes into contact with the contact member, at the first contact point, the second block or the link member receives a reaction force obliquely upward from the contact member. This reaction force serves as a force for lifting or rotating the second block or the link member. Therefore, the movement direction can be smoothly converted by the link mechanism without excessively increasing the burden on the slide mechanism. From another point of view, it is possible to initiate the raising of the second block or the rotation of the link member from a condition in which the inclination of the link mechanism is relatively small. Therefore, the stroke of the movement in the second direction by the link mechanism can be increased.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to smoothly convert a movement direction using a link mechanism without excessively increasing the burden on the slide mechanism. According to another aspect, the stroke of the movement in the second direction by the link mechanism can be increased.

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. The same or corresponding part is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the description thereof may not be repeated.

Note that in the embodiments described below, when referring to the number of pieces, the amount, or the like, the scope of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the number, the amount, or the like, unless otherwise specified. In addition, in the following embodiments, each component is not necessarily essential to the present disclosure unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram showing the positional relation between a measuring unit and a sample stage in a scanning probe microscope (SPM: Scanning Probe Microscope) as a “surface analyzer” according to the embodiment.FIG. 2is a schematic diagram showing a positional relation between a measuring unit and a sample stage at the time of taking out a sample in the scanning probe microscope according to the embodiment. Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the scanning probe microscope10will be described.

As shown inFIG. 1, the scanning probe microscope10is provided with a measuring unit20and a sample stage30. The scanning probe microscope10is used by placing it on a horizontal surface. The scanning probe microscope10is a microscope for scanning a sample surface with a small probe to observe the three-dimensional shapes and local physical properties of the sample at a high magnification for the analysis purpose.

The measuring unit20measures the sample from above the sample placed on the sample stage30at a measurement position. The measuring unit20is provided with a cantilever (not shown). By detecting the warpage and/or the vibrations of the cantilever that scans the surface of the sample, it is possible to observe the shape and the surface physical properties of the sample.

The measuring unit20has a displacement-detecting system. The displacement-detecting system includes, for example, a laser diode that outputs a laser beam, an optical system, such as, e.g., a lens and a mirror, that guides the laser beam to the sample, a beam splitter, and a photodetector that receives the reflected light from the cantilever.

The sample stage30is a portion for placing a sample. The sample stage30is configured to be movable between a sample take-out position (first position) and a measurement position (second position). Consequently, the measuring unit20and the sample stage30are relatively displaced.

At the time of measurement, as shown inFIG. 1, the sample stage30is positioned at the measurement position. At this time, the sample stage30faces the measuring unit20. When taking out the sample, the sample stage30is positioned at a sample take-out position as shown inFIG. 2. The sample take-out position is positioned below the measurement position and ahead (of the scanning probe microscope10). When moving from the measurement position to the sample take-out position, the sample stage30is initially moved downward and then moved forward. Thus, when the sample stage30is moved forward, the sample stage30is sufficiently far downward from the measuring unit20. Thus, the sample can be pulled out forward safely. In addition, even in a case where a petri dish is used for an in-liquid observation, the sample replacement can be performed without trouble. Furthermore, since the sample take-out position is positioned forward of the measurement position, the cantilever is not positioned above the sample when the sample is replaced. Thus, the workability of the sample replacement is improved.

To move the sample stage30between the sample take-out position and the measurement position, a moving mechanism for moving the sample stage30in the vertical direction (arrow DR2direction) as well as moving the sample stage30in the front-rear direction (arrow DR1direction) of the scanning probe microscope10are required.FIG. 3andFIG. 4are conceptual diagrams of a moving mechanism for moving a sample stage between a sample take-out position (first position) and a measurement position (second position).

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the moving mechanism includes a first block100, a second block200, a link member300, a contact member400, and a slide mechanism500.

The first block100is provided on the lower side, and the second block200is provided on the upper side. The second block200holds the sample stage30. The first block100and the second block200are connected by a plurality of link members310and320. One end of each of the plurality of link members300(310,320) is pivotally supported by the first block100. The other end of each of the plurality of link members300(310,320) is pivotally supported by the second block200. The first block100, the second block200, and the link member300constitute a link mechanism.

The slide mechanism500causes the first block100, the second block200, and the link member300to reciprocate in the arrow DR1direction (first direction). From the state shown inFIG. 3, when the link mechanism is moved to the left side (rearward side of the scanning probe microscope10) in the figure, as shown inFIG. 4, the rear end portion of second block200comes into contact with the contact member400. The movement of the second block200in contact with the contact member400in the arrow DR1direction is restricted.

In the state in which the second block200is in contact with the contact member400, when the first block100is further moved to the left in the figure, the second block200is raised along the arrow DR2direction (second direction) while being guided by the contact member400. That is, the contact member400comes into contact with the second block200and guides the lifting and lowering movement of the second block200in the vertical direction (arrow DR2direction). At this time, the link member300rotates about the rotation axis in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the paper (in the third direction).

The second block200is moved from the state in which the sample stage30is at the sample take-out position (first position) to the rear side of the scanning probe microscope10, and then is guided by the contact member400and moved upward. As a result, the sample stage30held by the second block200reaches a measurement position (second position) facing the measuring unit20. When moving the sample stage30from the measurement position (second position) to the sample take-out position (first position), the link mechanism is operated in a direction opposite to the above.

In the example of this embodiment, the contact member400is constituted by a circular roller rotatable about a rotational axis parallel to the rotation axis of the link member300, but the shape of the contact member400is not limited to a circular shape. Further, the contact member400is not limited to a rotatable roller as long as it can guide the movement of the second block200in the arrow DR2direction.

The slide mechanism500includes a motor which, due to the driving force of the motor, reciprocates the first block100(support) along the arrow DR1direction (the front-rear direction of the scanning probe microscope10).

FIG. 5is a diagram schematically showing the relation between the perpendicular displacement of the link mechanism, the rotational radius, and the rotational angle.

As shown inFIG. 5, when the length of the link member310is “r” and the angle formed between the link member310and the vertical direction (arrow DR2direction) is “θ”, the maximum stroke “x” in the vertical direction by the link mechanism can be obtained by the following formula.
x=r−y=r−r·cos θ=r·(1−cos θ)

Therefore, if it is desired to increase the vertical movement amount by the link mechanism (i.e., the vertical movement stroke of the sample stage30held by the second block200), it is required to increase the “r” or the “θ” inFIG. 5. When “r” inFIG. 5is increased, the link mechanism becomes larger.

FIG. 6andFIG. 7are diagrams schematically showing the component force of the force acting on the link mechanism.FIG. 7shows a condition in which the angle “θ” formed between the link member310and the vertical direction (the arrow DR2direction) is larger than that inFIG. 6.

When the second block200comes into contact with the contact member400, the second block200receives a reaction force from the contact member400. The horizontal components of the reaction force from the contact member400is transmitted to the link member310as an external force F, as shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7. The external force F transmitted to the link member310is decomposed into the axial component F1of the link member310and the rotational direction component F2of the link member310. The rotational direction component F2is a force that rotates the link member310to lift the second block200.

In the example ofFIG. 7, as compared with the example ofFIG. 6, the angle formed between the link member310and the vertical direction is large. Therefore, in the example ofFIG. 7, it is possible to obtain a relatively large vertical stroke of the link mechanism. On the other hand, in the example ofFIG. 7, as compared with the example ofFIG. 6, the rotational direction component F2of the external force F acting on the link member310is relatively small. When the link mechanism is moved and the second block200comes into contact with the contact member400in the state shown inFIG. 7, the force to lift the second block200is not enough, and therefore the movement direction transformation by the link mechanism may not be performed smoothly.

In order to increase the lifting force of the second block200, it is conceivable to increase the external force F. Increasing the external force F increases the load on the motor of the slide mechanism500.

The moving mechanism according to this embodiment can solve these problems. This moving mechanism will be described in more detail.FIG. 8shows a state (first state) before the second block200comes into contact with the contact member400.FIG. 9shows a state (second state) in which the second block200is lifted obliquely upward after coming into contact with the contact member400.FIG. 10shows a state (third state) in which the second block200is lifted vertically from the state ofFIG. 9.

As shown inFIG. 8toFIG. 10, the upper portion of the end portion of the second block200on the side of the contact member400is provided with a protruding portion210protruding toward the contact member400.

From the state shown inFIG. 8, when the first block100is moved toward the side (left side in the figure) of the contact member400, the protruding portion210of the second block200initially comes into contact with the contact member400. More specifically, the contact point211positioned at the lower corner of the protruding portion210initially comes into contact with the contact point A (first contact point) of the contact member400. The contact point A of the contact member400is positioned obliquely above the central axis O of the circular cross-section of the contact member400. Note that chamfering or R processing may be performed on the lower corner of the protruding portion210so that the contact point211may be positioned on the chamfered portion or R processed portion.

After the contact point211of the second block200comes into contact with the the contact point A of the contact member400, the first block100is further driven toward the left side in the figure. As a result, the second block200is raised while being guided by the contact member400, and as shown inFIG. 9, in addition to the contact point211, the vertical surface220positioned below the protruding portion210comes into contact with the contact member400. The vertical surface220comes into contact with the contact point B (second contact point) positioned on a horizontal surface containing the central axis O of the circular cross-section of the contact member400.

From the state shown inFIG. 9, the first block100is further driven to the left in the figure. Thus, the second block200is further raised while being guided by the contact member400with the vertical surface220in contact with the contact point B. When the second block200is raised to the position shown inFIG. 10, the sample stage30reaches the measurement position facing the measuring unit20.

FIG. 11andFIG. 12are diagrams showing the direction of the force received by the link mechanism from the contact member400in the moving mechanism shown inFIG. 8toFIG. 10.FIG. 11shows a state when the contact point211of the second block200is initially brought into contact with the contact member400.FIG. 12shows a state when the second block200is raised and the vertical surface220is brought into contact with the contact member400.

As shown inFIG. 11andFIG. 12, the second block200will receive a reaction force P in a direction of a normal vector of the surface of the contact member400at the contact point (“A” inFIG. 11, “B” inFIG. 12).

As shown inFIG. 11, when the second block200is initially brought into contact with the contact member400, the surface of the contact member400has an obliquely upward normal vector at the contact point A. Thus, the second block200receives an obliquely upward reaction P. The reaction force P is decomposed into a horizontal component P1and a vertical component P2. The vertical component P2is a force that lifts the second block200upward, and the second block200can also start to rise by receiving the upward force from the contact member400in addition to the link member300. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly convert the movement direction by the link mechanism without excessively increasing the load of the motor of the slide mechanism500. According to another aspect, the raising of the second block200can be initiated from a condition in which the inclination of the link member300is relatively close to horizontal (a condition in which θ inFIG. 5is relatively large). Thus, the stroke of the vertical movement by the link mechanism can be increased.

As shown inFIG. 12, the second block200receives a horizontal reaction P when the vertical surface220of the second block200is in contact with the contact member400because at the contact point B the surface of the contact member400has a horizontal normal vector. At this time, although the second block200does not receive an upward force from the contact member400, the second block200can be smoothly raised only by the force from the link member300because the inclination of the link member300is already relatively large (θ inFIG. 5is relatively small).

From the viewpoint of increasing the upward force when the second block200is initially brought into contact with the contact member400, it is desirable that the normal vector at the contact point A be inclined obliquely upward by 45 degrees or more with respect to the horizontal direction. However, the inclination angle of the normal vector is not limited thereto, and can be appropriately changed as long as the angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

In the examples ofFIG. 8toFIG. 12, it is configured such that the vertical surface220is provided below the protruding portion210, and the contact member400comes into contact with the vertical surface220when the sample stage30reaches the measurement position facing the measuring unit20. Therefore, when the sample stage30has approached the measuring unit20, the sample stage30can be raised and lowered along the vertical direction (vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal surface) rather than the oblique direction. Thus, the flexibility of the arrangement of the components in the inner space of the housing of the scanning probe microscope10(in particular, the arrangement near the measuring unit20) is improved.

Next, a modification of the moving mechanism according to this embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 13toFIG. 18.

In the example ofFIG. 13, a circular arc surface230(curved surface) is provided between the contact point211and the vertical surface220of the protruding portion210. The circular arc surface230is formed so as to be continuous to the lower portion of the protruding portion210and has a curvature radius greater than the radius of the circular contact member400.

By providing a larger curvature radius of the circular arc surface230than that of the contact member400between the protruding portion210and the vertical surface220, the second block200can be continuously raised without separating from the contact member400after the contact point211initially comes into contact with the contact point A. Thus, it is possible to continuously raise the second block200more smoothly.

In the example of the embodiment ofFIG. 14, an inclined surface240(flat surface) is provided in place of the circular arc surface230. Also in the example ofFIG. 14, similarly to the example ofFIG. 13, the second block200can be continuously raised without being separated from the contact member400.

In the examples ofFIG. 15andFIG. 16, the vertical surface220is not provided below the protruding portion210, and only the circular arc surface230(FIG. 15) and the inclined surface240(FIG. 16) are provided.

In the example ofFIG. 17, the second block200is composed of a first member200A and a second member200B, and a protruding portion210is configured by the second member200B.

In the above-described embodiments, examples have been described in which the second block200initially comes into contact with the contact member400. However, as shown inFIG. 18, instead of the second block200, the contact point311of the link member310may come into contact with the contact member400. Further, by processing the side surface of the link member, a contact surface of any desired shaped may be formed.

Further, in the embodiments, a scanning probe microscope10(surface analyzer) has been described as an example of a device to which the above-described moving mechanism including the link mechanism is applied, but the moving mechanism according to this disclosure is not limited to the mechanism to be applied to a surface analyzer. The scope of the present disclosure also extends to a moving mechanism having the same configuration as described above, which is included in, for example, a gate valve or the like used in a vacuum device or the like.

As discussed above, the present embodiments include the following disclosures.

A surface analyzer for analyzing a sample surface, comprising:

a measuring unit;

a sample stage configured to place a sample thereon; and

a moving mechanism configured to relatively displace the measuring unit and the sample stage,

wherein the moving mechanism includes

a link mechanism including a first block, a second block configured to hold the sample stage, and a link member pivotally supporting the first block and the second block,

a slide mechanism configured to reciprocate the first block in a first direction, and

a contact member configured to guide a lifting and lowering movement of the second block in a second direction by being brought into contact with the second block or the link member,

wherein the link member is pivotally supported by the first block and the second block so as to be pivotable about a rotation axis about a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and

wherein at a first contact point where the second block or the link member initially comes into contact with the contact member when the first block is moved toward the contact member, a surface of the contact member has an obliquely upward normal vector that intersects with the first direction at an angle greater than 0 degree and less than 90 degrees.

In the above-described surface analyzer, when the second block or the link member initially comes into contact with the contact member, at the first contact point, the second block or the link member receives a reaction force obliquely upward from the contact member. This reaction force serves as a force for lifting or rotating the second block or the link member. Therefore, the movement direction can be smoothly converted by the link mechanism without excessively increasing the burden on the slide mechanism. From another point of view, it is possible to initiate the raising of the second block or the rotation of the link member from a condition where the inclination of the link mechanism is relatively small, so that the stroke of the movement in the second direction by the second block can be increased.

The surface analyzer as recited in the above-described configuration 1,

wherein the normal vector intersects with the first direction at an angle equal to or greater than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

According to the above-mentioned configuration 2, the movement direction can be more smoothly converted by the link mechanism with respect to the configuration 1.

A surface analyzer for analyzing a sample surface, comprising:

a measuring unit;

a sample stage configured to place a sample thereon; and

a moving mechanism configured to relatively displace the measuring unit and the sample stage,

wherein the moving mechanism includes

a link mechanism including a first block, a second block configured to hold the sample stage, and a link member pivotally supporting the first block and the second block,

a slide mechanism configured to reciprocate the first block in a first direction, and

a contact member configured to guide a lifting and lowering movement of the second block in a second direction by being brought into contact with the second block or the link member,

wherein the link member is pivotally supported by the first block and the second block so as to be pivotable about a rotation axis of a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction,

wherein the contact member has a circular cross-section as viewed from the third direction, and

wherein the second block or the link member initially comes into contact with the contact member at a first contact point positioned obliquely above a central axis of the circular cross-section when the first block is moved toward the contact member.

Also with the above-described configuration 3, similarly to the configuration 1, it is possible to smoothly convert the movement direction by the link mechanism without excessively increasing the burden on the slide mechanism. From another point of view, it is possible to initiate the rotation of the link member without raising the second block from a condition in which the inclination of the link mechanism is relatively small, so that the stroke of the movement in the second direction by the second block can be increased.

The surface analyzer as recited in the above-described configuration 3,

wherein the first contact point is at a position apart with respect to the first direction by an angle equal to or larger than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees in a circumferential direction of the circular cross-section.

According to the above-described configuration 4, the movement direction can be more smoothly converted by the link mechanism with respect to the configuration 3.

The surface analyzer as recited in any one of the above-described configurations 1 to 4,

wherein the second block has an end portion positioned on a contact member side,

wherein a part of the end portion is provided with a protruding portion protruding toward the contact member, and

wherein the protruding portion of the second block initially comes into contact with the contact member when the first block is moved toward the contact member.

According to the above-described configuration 5, the second block receives the diagonally upward reaction force from the contact member by bringing the first contacting protruding portion of the second block into contact with the contact member, it is possible to smoothly convert the movement direction by the link mechanism.

The surface analyzer as recited in the above-described configuration 5,

wherein an end surface of the second block on a side of the contact member includes a curved surface continuously extending downward of the protruding portion, and

wherein the curved surface includes a circular arc surface having a curvature radius greater than a curvature radius of the contact member that is brought into contact with the curved surface.

According to the above-described configuration 6, since the second block can be continuously raised without being separated from the contact member after the second block initially comes into contact with the first contact point, the second block can be raised more smoothly.

The surface analyzer as recited in the above-described configuration 5 or 6,

wherein an end surface of the second block on a side of the contact member includes a flat surface positioned below the protruding portion and extending in the second direction, and

wherein when the sample stage is in a position facing the measuring unit, the contact member is in contact with the flat surface.

According to the above-described configuration 7, when the sample stage has approached the measuring unit, it is possible to raise and lower the sample stage along the vertical direction rather than in the oblique direction. Thus, the flexibility of the arrangement of the components in the inner space of the housing of the surface analyzer (in particular, the arrangement near the measuring unit) is improved.

The surface analyzer as recited in any one of the configurations 1 to 7,

wherein the contact member includes a roller rotatable about a rotational axis parallel to the rotation axis of the link member in the third direction.

According to the above-described configuration 8, the roller can be rotated, and the second block can be guided by utilizing the frictional force between the roller surface and the surface of the second block or the link member for the lifting and lowering movement.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that the presently disclosed embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and range equivalent to the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS