Patent ID: 6862923

Claim:
Atomic force microscope, comprising a probe ( 12 ) for surface analysis of a sample (E), comprising a support body ( 20 ) and an elastically deformable strip ( 22 ) linked to the body ( 20 ), the strip being provided with a tip ( 24 ) designed to come into contact with the sample (E) to be analysed; a mechanism ( 16 ) for relative displacement of the analysis probe ( 12 ) with respect to the surface of the sample (E); a detector ( 50 , 52 ) for determining the position of the strip ( 22 ); and means for vibrating the strip ( 22 ), said means for vibrating the strip comprising: on the strip ( 22 ), means ( 26 A, 26 B) for conduction of electricity along a continuous path forming a loop ( 27 ), which electrical-conduction means ( 26 A, 26 B) are secured to the strip ( 22 ), the support body ( 20 ) being provided with two divided conductive sections ( 30 A, 30 B) extending the loop ( 27 ), an alternating-current generator ( 34 ) connected to the divided conductive sections ( 30 A, 302 ) of the analysis probe ( 12 ), and a magnetic-field source ( 18 ) designed to set up a substantially homogeneous magnetic field ({circle around (B)}) in the region of the strip ( 22 ) of the analysis probe ( 12 ), wherein the loop ( 27 ) has a single turn which is open in the region of the support body ( 20 ).