Patent ID: 7498589

Claim:
A scanning probe microscope that measures a surface profile of a sample by bringing a probe into close proximity to or contact with the surface of the sample and scanning the sample surface, the scanning probe microscope comprising: a sample stage movable in at least one axis direction with the sample mounted on the sample stage; a probe which is brought into close proximity to or contact with the surface of the sample mounted on the sample stage, wherein the probe scans the sample surface; a probe-driving unit for moving the probe three-dimensionally; a displacement measuring unit for measuring displacements of three axis directions of the probe moved three-dimensionally by the probe-driving unit; a deflection detector for detecting a deflection of the probe; and an observation optical system which has an objective lens and observes the probe disposed on essentially an optical axis of the objective lens, and the sample; wherein the probe-driving unit includes three sets of paired drive sources arranged symmetrically with respect to the optical axis of the objective lens, and wherein the displacement measuring unit includes each of at least three sets of displacement detectors arranged in each of the three axis directions so as to control each of the sets of paired drive sources by using each output of the at least three sets of the displacement detectors.