Patent ID: 7041974

Claim:
A probe control apparatus, comprising: a probe including, an optical fiber having a tapered end forming an apex, an electronically conductive transparent film formed on a surface of the tapered end, and a first metal film formed on a first surface of said optical fiber other than the surface of the tapered end and electrically connected to said electrically conductive transparent film; a vibrating unit configured to vibrate said probe in a vibrating motion perpendicular to a median axis of said probe; an amplitude detection unit configured to detect an amplitude of said probe; a distance controlling unit configured to control a distance between said probe and a sample; a voltage applying unit configured to apply a voltage between said probe and the sample; and an insulating unit configured to electrically insulate said amplitude detection unit from said probe, wherein said probe control apparatus controls a distance between an apex of said probe and the sample via a shear force gap control method.