Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A sample stage for holding a sample, comprising:a drive element for moving a sample holding table; anda movable portion movable in a direction in which an inertial force generated during movement of the sample holding table is cancelled,wherein said sample stage is detachably mountable, integrally with the sample holding table, the drive element, and the movable portion, to a main assembly of an apparatus. 2. A sample stage according to claim 1, wherein each of the drive element and the movable portion comprises an electromechanical transducer. 3. A sample stage according to claim 2, wherein the electromechanical transducer comprises a cylindrical piezoelectric element. 4. A sample stage according to claim 1, wherein the drive element is an electromechanical transducer capable of expanding and contracting in a direction, the electromechanical transducer supporting the sample holding table at one end portion thereof and supporting the movable portion at the other end portion thereof.