Patent ID: 7765606

Claim:
A scanning probe apparatus for obtaining information of a sample, recording information in the sample, or processing the sample, the apparatus comprising: a probe; and a scanning stage for moving the sample relative to the probe, wherein the scanning stage comprises: a sample holding table for holding the sample; a scanning piezoelectric element for moving the sample holding table; a movable portion, comprising a counterweight and a counter piezoelectric element, movable in a direction in which an inertial force generated during movement of the sample holding table is canceled; and a memory, storing calibration information of the scanning piezoelectric element and operation information for establishing association between characteristics of the scanning piezoelectric element and the counter piezoelectric element, for writing therein usage history information of the scanning probe apparatus, and wherein the sample holding table, the scanning piezoelectric element, the movable portion, and the memory are detachably or replaceably mountable to a main assembly of the scanning probe apparatus.